Arden of Feversham (c. 1591)
Introduction “Arden of Feversham” was published anonymously in 1592, around the time of Shakespeare’s arrival in London. Its authorship is disputed – it has been attributed variously to Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe and Thomas Watson – but it seems likely that a number of the scenes at the heart of the play are by Shakespeare, […]
Henry VI Part Two (1591)
Introduction The historical Henry VI (as opposed to the Shakespearean version) ruled England from 1422 to 1461 and again from 1470 to 1471. Shakespeare’s play was probably written in 1590 or 1591, 120 years after his death – long enough for the country Henry governed to have generated a settled view of his reign. Based […]
King John (1595-7)
Introduction “King John” was probably written around 1595 – a golden period in Shakespeare’s writing, which saw the composition of “Romeo and Juliet”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “The Merchant of Venus”. But it may equally have been written as early as the late 1580s, at the very start of his career, when he was […]
Richard III (1592)
Introduction Shakespeare’s genius as a writer emerges in a number of ways. His poetry is incomparable. His sense of what is dramatic and theatrical is ground-breaking. His genius in creating character is unparalleled. All three have their place in “Richard III” – character above all. Richard himself first appears in “Henry VI Part Three”. There, […]