The Shakespeare Project

Introduction:

I’ve decided to start with the first part of the Henry VI plays, despite recent scholarship saying that this play was more likely than not written after the two War of the Roses plays that we know as Henry VI, parts II and III as a prequel. Looking at the cycle of Shakespeare’s histories, however, it seems to be a good point to start.

Many Americans hear the word “History” and they immediately think the plays will be boring, confusing, and tedious, but I find most of the histories more interesting and exciting than most of the comedies. They’re stories filled with heroes and villains that can only seem realistic because they’re based on real people.

I first became acquainted with the Henry VI plays when I went to England to take a course in Shakespeare and modern drama. I was lucky enough to head to see all three parts of Henry VI in two consecutive days in Stratford Upon Avon. Michale Boyd’s presentation was fantastic, tying not only all 3 Henry VI plays together, but also tying it into Henry V and Richard III, drawing the audience into a world that existed beyond the stage. I’ll talk more about this production later.

In general, however, H6A* is seen as one of Shakespeare’s least successful plays. Noted critic Harold Bloom even said, “Shakespeare’s play is bad enough… I would be pleased to believe that other botchers had been at work in addition to the very young Shakespeare.” (43) In reading over the play, you can see how this viewpoint seems valid. The use of language seems immature in comparison with Shakespeare’s later works and the characters seem thinner and less consistent (especially Joan la Pucelle).

But, even with it’s weaknesses, the play shows an early love of language and sense of drama for a young Shakespeare (et al?).

*For convenience sake, I’ll be using the abbreviations in Schmidt’s Shakespeare Lexicon and Quotation Dictionary for many of these plays. See Abbreviation Sidebar for details.