Shakespeare and Game of Thrones

The popular TV show "Game of Thrones" is based on the Wars of the Roses, a 15th-century civil war between feuding English families. Shakespeare's history plays influenced how the Wars of the Roses are remembered, and the show responds to Shakespeare's first tetralogy directly by adapting literary strategies and tropes. This book explores the connection between the two, featuring new interviews with the cast and comparing contextual circumstances of composition. It is an essential read for fans and students of Shakespeare and Renaissance literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 128 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The popular television series "Game of Thrones" is widely believed to be based on the Wars of the Roses, a bloody fifteenth-century civil war between rival English families. In his book, Jeffrey R. Wilson explores how Shakespeare played a crucial role in mediating this connection, and how a deeper understanding of Shakespearean context can enhance our appreciation of the literary elements in "Game of Thrones."

On the one hand, Shakespeare's history plays had a significant impact on the way the Wars of the Roses are remembered today, including the modern histories and historical fictions that George R.R. Martin drew upon for "Game of Thrones." Shakespeare's plays helped shape the popular narrative and imagery associated with the conflict.

On the other hand, "Game of Thrones" also directly responds to Shakespeare's first tetralogy. The series adapts several literary strategies and tropes from Shakespeare's plays, such as shifting perspectives, mixed genres, and metatheater. For example, "Game of Thrones" features a stigmatized protagonist, similar to Shakespeare's Richard III, and a prince who was promised a kingdom, reminiscent of Shakespeare's Hamlet.

In addition to exploring the direct influence of Shakespeare on "Game of Thrones," the book also presents new interviews with the cast members of the series. It compares the contextual circumstances of composition, such as collaborative authorship and political currents, between the Elizabethan age and the twenty-first century, when "Game of Thrones" was produced.

This book offers valuable insights for both fans of the franchise and students and academics interested in Shakespeare and Renaissance literature in the context of modern media. It sheds light on the ways in which Shakespeare's plays continue to resonate and influence popular culture, and it provides a deeper understanding of the literary elements that make "Game of Thrones" such a compelling and complex series.

Weight: 190g
Dimension: 137 x 217 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367632748