Logo
Logo
Log inSign up
Logo

Tools

AI Concept MapsAI Mind MapsAI Study NotesAI FlashcardsAI Quizzes

Resources

BlogTemplate

Info

PricingFAQTeam

info@algoreducation.com

Corso Castelfidardo 30A, Torino (TO), Italy

Algor Lab S.r.l. - Startup Innovativa - P.IVA IT12537010014

Privacy PolicyCookie PolicyTerms and Conditions

Shakespeare's Influence and Works

Exploring Shakespeare's contributions to 'Sir Thomas More' and the staging of his plays, including 'Measure for Measure', 'Othello', 'All's Well That Ends Well', and 'King Lear'. These works reflect the socio-political climate of the early 17th century and showcase the bard's talent for integrating contemporary issues into his dramas. The text also delves into the censorship and revisions that shaped the performance history of these Elizabethan plays.

See more
Open map in editor

1

5

Open map in editor

Want to create maps from your material?

Insert your material in few seconds you will have your Algor Card with maps, summaries, flashcards and quizzes.

Try Algor

Learn with Algor Education flashcards

Click on each Card to learn more about the topic

1

Primary author of 'Sir Thomas More'

Click to check the answer

Anthony Munday penned the main text of 'Sir Thomas More'.

2

Role of Hand D in 'Sir Thomas More'

Click to check the answer

Hand D, identified as Shakespeare's, contributed to the manuscript's revision.

3

Censorship and revisions of 'Sir Thomas More'

Click to check the answer

Edmund Tilney, Master of the Revels, censored the play, leading to revisions by several playwrights.

4

The initial staging of 'Sir Thomas More' took place in 1922 at ______, ______.

Click to check the answer

Birkbeck University of London

5

Authored by Munday and Chettle, the play was written between ______ and ______, during a time when its themes could be considered controversial.

Click to check the answer

1592 1595

6

Publication year of 'Measure for Measure' in First Folio

Click to check the answer

1623

7

Influence of King James I's policies on 'Measure for Measure'

Click to check the answer

Allusions to King James I's rule and policies are present in the play

8

Significance of Whitehall Palace performances in 1604

Click to check the answer

Premiere of 'Measure for Measure' and 'Othello'; showcased to royal audience

9

The play "All's Well That Ends Well" was officially recorded in the ______ and first published in the ______.

Click to check the answer

Stationers' Register First Folio of 1623

10

The initial public performance of "All's Well That Ends Well" is recorded to have taken place in ______.

Click to check the answer

1741

11

Stylistic analysis and historical references within the play hint at its creation around ______ to ______.

Click to check the answer

1604 1605

12

The enforcement of the ______ is one of the events referenced in "All's Well That Ends Well" that helps date the play.

Click to check the answer

surplice

13

The play's themes are in harmony with Shakespeare's other works from the same era, although the exact order of his plays' creation is still ______.

Click to check the answer

indeterminate

14

King Lear registration and quarto publication dates

Click to check the answer

Registered in 1607, first quarto published in 1608.

15

King Lear First Folio publication date

Click to check the answer

Published in the First Folio in 1623.

16

King Lear's premiere location and date

Click to check the answer

Premiered on December 26, 1606, at Whitehall.

Q&A

Here's a list of frequently asked questions on this topic

Similar Contents

English Literature

Dating Shakespeare's Plays

View document

English Literature

Shakespeare's Plays and Their Authorship, Dating, and Historical Context

View document

English Literature

Film and Television Adaptations of Shakespeare's Comedies

View document

English Literature

Late Romances

View document

Shakespeare's Hand in "Sir Thomas More"

William Shakespeare's contribution to the play "Sir Thomas More" is recognized by scholars, with evidence of his handiwork appearing in a section of the manuscript revised by several playwrights. This collaborative Elizabethan drama, primarily penned by Anthony Munday, also received contributions from Henry Chettle, Thomas Dekker, and Thomas Heywood. Shakespeare's involvement, attributed to the hand known as Hand D, is supported by paleographic analysis comparing the handwriting to Shakespeare's known signatures. The play's scholarly editions, including those by Manchester University Press and the Arden Shakespeare series, provide comprehensive insights into the collaborative nature of the text, the censorship it underwent by Master of the Revels Edmund Tilney, and the subsequent revisions by the collective of playwrights, solidifying Shakespeare's role in its creation.
Softly lit Elizabethan theater with protruding stage, empty wooden pews, round columns, carved throne and swords.

The Staging and Suppression of "Sir Thomas More"

"Sir Thomas More" faced challenges in its performance history, likely due to censorship, and may not have been staged during Shakespeare's era. The play's first known performance occurred in 1922 at Birkbeck, University of London. Written by Munday and Chettle between 1592 and 1595, the play's depiction of the "Evil May Day" riots and the merciful response by Henry VIII could have been seen as politically sensitive against the backdrop of Queen Elizabeth's reign, particularly given her harsher stance on similar disturbances. The play's performance was likely vetoed by the censor Tilney and remained unperformed until the more lenient Stuart period. The revisions, possibly made around 1603-1604, reflect the changing political landscape and align with the stylistic features of other contemporary works.

Performances and Historical Context of "Measure for Measure" and "Othello"

Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" and "Othello" are products of the early 17th century, with performances at Whitehall Palace in 1604. "Measure for Measure," first recorded in the Revels Account and published in the First Folio of 1623, is dated to 1603-1604, drawing from allusions to King James I's policies and the London plague. "Othello," published in quarto form in 1622, is also dated to this period, with its narrative influenced by recent historical events such as the Turkish invasion of Cyprus. These plays reflect the socio-political climate of the time and showcase Shakespeare's ability to weave contemporary issues into his dramatic works.

Chronology and Performances of "All's Well That Ends Well"

The composition of "All's Well That Ends Well" is debated, with scholarly consensus placing it between 1595 and 1607. Officially recorded in the Stationers' Register and published in the First Folio of 1623, the play's first performance is documented in 1741. Analysis of the text suggests a creation date around 1604-1605, inferred from stylistic elements and references to events such as the enforcement of the surplice. The play's thematic resonance with Shakespeare's other works from this period supports this timeframe, although the precise sequencing of his plays remains indeterminate.

Textual Variations and Performances of "King Lear"

"King Lear" was entered into the Stationers' Register in 1607 and appeared in quarto in 1608, with a subsequent version in the First Folio of 1623. The two texts exhibit notable differences, with the quarto likely representing an earlier draft and the Folio reflecting revisions for performance. The play's premiere is recorded on December 26, 1606, at Whitehall. The textual variations between the quarto and Folio editions, including changes in dialogue and structure, indicate Shakespeare's ongoing refinement of the play to enhance its dramatic impact and character development for the stage.