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Article: The head that wears the crown.(theatrical interpretations of William Shakespeare's history plays)
- Article from:
- History Today
- Article date:
- August 1, 1998
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 1998 History Today Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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John Adler explores the changing interpretations of Shakespeare's history plays on stage - from Garrick to the new Globe.
Shakespeare was one of a small group of playwrights who created the genre of the history play as we know it. The chronicle play which was contemporaneous with early history plays simply served to string together a series of dramatic episodes from some period in the past, often with a crude didactic purpose. In evolving the history play, Shakespeare developed a vital perspective on his subject matter and elevated it into an experience of more profound individual, social and political significance.
A number of Shakespeare's works were ...