Shakespeare and University Drama in Early Modern England

Shakespeare and University Drama in Early Modern England explores how university plays in early modern England inspired Shakespeare and his contemporaries, providing new readings of plays from throughout his career. It also discusses the impact of university drama on professional plays by Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, and Ben Jonson, highlighting the connection between the university stage and the London commercial stage.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Dramatic performances at the universities in early modern England have often been perceived as insular events, entirely detached from the plays of the London stage. Shakespeare and University Drama in Early Modern England challenges this long-held notion, shedding light on how an initially secluded theatrical culture emerged as a significant source of inspiration for Shakespeare and his contemporaries. While many university plays embraced classical themes, others reflected upon the academic environments in which they were produced, offering a glimpse into the universities themselves. This window proved particularly valuable for Shakespeare, as this book reveals, as he had a sustained fascination with universities and their inhabitants.

Daniel Blank offers groundbreaking new readings of plays from throughout Shakespeare's career, illustrating how depictions of academic culture in Love's Labour's Lost, Hamlet, and Macbeth were shaped by university plays. Shakespeare was not alone, however. This book also explores the impact of university drama on professional plays by Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, and Ben Jonson, all of whom in various ways facilitated the connection between the university stage and the London commercial stage. Yet, this connection, perhaps counterintuitively, is most significant in the works of a playwright who had no formal attachment to Oxford or Cambridge. Shakespeare, as this study demonstrates, was at the center of a rich exchange between two seemingly disparate theatrical worlds.

The universities in early modern England played a pivotal role in shaping the theatrical landscape of Shakespeare's era. While many scholars have traditionally viewed university drama as an isolated and disconnected realm, Shakespeare and University Drama in Early Modern England challenges this notion by demonstrating how the university stage became a rich source of inspiration for Shakespeare and his contemporaries.

One of the key findings of the book is that while many university plays featured classical themes and narratives, others were deeply influenced by the academic environments in which they were produced. These plays often reflected upon the social, political, and intellectual currents of the time, providing a window into the universities themselves. Shakespeare, in particular, had a sustained fascination.

fascination with the universities and their inhabitants, and his plays often depicted academic culture with a keen eye. For example, in Love's Labour's Lost, Shakespeare explores the themes of love, friendship, and the pursuit of knowledge within the context of a university setting. The play features a group of young men who spend their time in a forest, engaging in various academic pursuits such as fencing, rhetoric, and music. Through their interactions and academic endeavors, Shakespeare examines the complexities of human relationships, the nature of knowledge, and the role of education in shaping individuals and society.

Similarly, in Hamlet, Shakespeare delves into the themes of revenge, madness, and the nature of truth within the academic environment of the University of Denmark. The play features a young prince who is plagued by the ghost of his father, who claims to have been murdered by his brother. Hamlet is torn between his desire for revenge and his loyalty to his father, and his academic pursuits, including his studies in rhetoric and philosophy, become a means of exploring these complex themes.

In Macbeth, Shakespeare explores the themes of ambition, power, and the corrupting influence of unchecked
influence. The play features a Scottish nobleman who is manipulated by his wife and a trio of witches into committing a series of murders in order to gain and maintain power. Shakespeare's depiction of the academic environment in Macbeth is particularly noteworthy, as he portrays the university as a place of intellectual inquiry and exploration, but also as a site of political intrigue and power struggles.

Another significant aspect of Shakespeare and University Drama in Early Modern England is its discussion of the impact of university drama on professional plays by Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, and Ben Jonson. These playwrights

were all contemporaries of Shakespeare and were deeply influenced by the theatrical culture of the universities. Marlowe, for example, was a student at the University of Cambridge and his plays, such as Doctor Faustus and The Jew of Malta, reflect the academic interests and intellectual pursuits of his contemporaries. Greene, a student at the University of Oxford, was known for his innovative use of language and his exploration of the themes of morality and sin. Jonson, a student at the University of Cambridge, was known for his satirical and witty style and his exploration of the themes of power, corruption, and the nature of truth.

Despite their differences in style and subject matter, these playwrights

all facilitated the connection between the university stage and the London commercial stage. They were all deeply influenced by the theatrical culture of the universities, and their plays often featured characters who were scholars or students, who engaged in academic debates and intellectual pursuits. This connection between the university stage and the London commercial stage was particularly significant in the works of a playwright

who had no formal attachment to Oxford or Cambridge. Shakespeare, for example, was not a student at either of these universities, but his plays were deeply influenced by the theatrical culture of the universities. He was a member of the King's Men, a company of actors who were based in London and who were known for their innovative use of language and their exploration of the themes of power, corruption, and the nature of truth.

In conclusion, Shakespeare and University Drama in Early Modern England is a groundbreaking work that challenges the long-held notion that dramatic performances at the universities in early modern England were insular events, entirely removed from the plays of the London stage. The book demonstrates how an initially secluded theatrical culture emerged as a significant source of inspiration for Shakespeare and his contemporaries, providing a window into the universities themselves and their inhabitants. Through a series of groundbreaking new readings of plays from throughout Shakespeare's career, the book illustrates how depictions of academic culture in Love's Labour's Lost, Hamlet, and Macbeth were shaped by university plays. It also explores the impact of university drama on professional plays by Christopher Marlowe, Robert Greene, and Ben Jonson, all of whom in various ways facilitated the connection between the university stage and the London commercial stage. The book's findings shed light on the rich exchange between two seemingly disparate theatrical worlds, demonstrating how Shakespeare was at the center.

Weight: 454g
Dimension: 164 x 241 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192886095