Shakespeare's Rise to Cultural Prominence: Politics, Print and Alteration, 1642-1700

During the Interregnum and Restoration, Shakespeare's reputation and dissemination were re-evaluated by Emma Depledge, who showed how the Exclusion Crisis (1678-1682) was a pivotal moment in his canonization. The crisis led to a surge of theatrical alterations and a increased rate of new editions and stage revivals, making Shakespeare's plays more accessible and establishing him in the national cultural imagination.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 265 pages
Publication date: 23 June 2022
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Shakespeare's ascent to prominence was far from guaranteed. While he enjoyed widespread popularity during his lifetime, the number of new editions and revivals of his plays gradually declined in the following decades. To reassess Shakespeare's reputation and dissemination during the Interregnum and Restoration, Emma Depledge employs the methodologies of book and theatre history. She highlights the pivotal role of the Exclusion Crisis (1678–1682), a political crisis concerning the royal succession, as a significant turning point in Shakespeare's canonization. During this period, there was a sudden surge of theatrical adaptations and a remarkable increase in the rate of new editions and stage revivals. Consequently, Shakespeare's plays reached a wider audience than ever before since the early seventeenth century, effectively reversing the potential loss of his drama from canonical familiarity and solidifying his place in the national cultural imagination.

Shakespeare's Rise to Prominence:
Shakespeare's rise to prominence was by no means inevitable. While he enjoyed widespread popularity during his lifetime, the number of new editions and revivals of his plays gradually declined in the following decades. This decline can be attributed to various factors, including the changing tastes of audiences, the emergence of new theatrical forms, and the political and social upheaval of the period.
Popularity in His Lifetime:
Despite the decline in new editions and revivals, Shakespeare remained popular in his lifetime. His plays were performed regularly in theaters, and his works were widely read and studied. Shakespeare's plays were known for their complex characters, witty dialogue, and profound insights into human nature. They resonated with audiences of all ages and backgrounds, making him a household name in England.
Decline in New Editions and Revivals:
However, the number of new editions and revivals of Shakespeare's plays began to decline in the decades following his death. This decline was particularly evident in the Restoration period (1660–1688), which was marked by political instability and social unrest. The monarchy was restored, and the government sought to control and regulate the arts, including theater. Theaters were closed down, and plays were censored or banned for political or moral reasons.
Emma Depledge's Reassessment:
To address this decline, Emma Depledge employs the methodologies of book and theatre history to provide a re-assessment of Shakespeare's reputation and dissemination during the Interregnum and Restoration. She demonstrates the crucial role of the Exclusion Crisis (1678–1682), a political crisis over the royal succession, as a foundational moment in Shakespeare's canonization. The period saw a sudden surge of theatrical alterations and a significantly increased rate of new editions and stage revivals.
Theatrical Alterations:
During the Exclusion Crisis, there was a sudden surge of theatrical adaptations of Shakespeare's plays. Theater companies were eager to capitalize on the popularity of Shakespeare and to present his works to a wider audience. This led to the production of new plays, adaptations of existing plays, and the reworking of existing plays to reflect the political and social climate of the time.
New Editions and Stage Revivals:
In addition to theatrical alterations, there was a significant increase in the rate of new editions and stage revivals of Shakespeare's plays. Publishers were eager to publish new editions of Shakespeare's works, and theater companies were eager to perform his plays to a wider audience. This led to the publication of new editions of Shakespeare's plays, which were often updated to reflect the latest linguistic and cultural developments.
Reversal of Decline:
The surge of theatrical alterations and new editions and stage revivals during the Exclusion Crisis reversed what might otherwise have been a permanent disappearance of Shakespeare's drama from canonical familiarity. Shakespeare's plays were made available on a scale not witnessed since the early seventeenth century, thus firmly establishing his work in the national cultural imagination.
Conclusion:
Shakespeare's rise to prominence was far from guaranteed, but his works remained popular in his lifetime and continued to resonate with audiences even after his death. The decline in new editions and revivals during the Interregnum and Restoration was reversed by the surge of theatrical alterations and new editions and stage revivals during the Exclusion Crisis. This period marked a significant turning point in Shakespeare's canonization, and his works continue to be celebrated and studied to this day.

ISBN-13: 9781108447669