Breaking Bard

Hello and welcome to episode 43 of Ripe Good Scholar. Ever since Shakespeare started gaining popularity, people have been attributing plays to him that he may not have had anything to do with. Some of these have been easier to disprove than others. There are a few lingering plays that we cannot say whether Shakespeare had a hand in and so we have The Shakespeare Apocrypha. Things get much more complicated as we dive deeper into what it meant to be a playwright in Shakespeare's time. There was a lot of collaboration, stealing, and editing. This can make it nearly impossible to determine who was the author. But, that won't stop us from speculating!   Full show notes available at ripegoodscholar.com/ep43   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hello and welcome to Ripe Good Scholar. Today we are beginning to get a clearer picture of the Elizabethan theatre scene. It was a place of collaboration and mentoring. Novice writers would hone their craft with the help of more seasoned ones. Writers would also imitate each other and edit each other's work for their own use. This realization has caused scholars in recent years to look more closely at Shakespeare's work and see where he may have collaborated. One unsurprising candidate was Titus Andronicus, easily Shakespeare's most gruesome play, and one of his earliest. The top candidate for co-author is George Peele, a University Wit. Today, Eli and I are going to get to know George Peele and examine the role he may have played in writing Titus Andronicus. For this episode, I read excerpts from Shakespeare Co-author by Brian Vickers and several articles. If you want to check out all my sources, head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep42.   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This is episode 41 of Ripe Good Scholar: The Sources for Twelfth Night Hello and welcome to Ripe Good Scholar. Since we just celebrated the epiphany, or twelfth night, we thought it would be worthwhile to visit the famous Shakespeare text of the same name. Like most of Shakespeare's work, the story was borrowed from another source. In this case, it was an English prose version of an Italian play. The prose adaptation, Apollonius and Silla, was written by an English soldier, Barnabe Rich. Today Eli and I are going to look at Rich's text to see what Shakespeare borrowed and what he left out. By closely examining Shakespeare's sources, we can get a glimpse into his mind, the mind of a genius. It can also provide some unique insights into the text itself. For this episode, I read Rich's Apolonius and Silla, An Original of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night edited by Morton Luce. If you want to check out that book and so much more, head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep41. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode we will be discussing the case of Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester. We Shakespeareans will know Eleanor as the woman that Margaret of Anjou slapped in Henry VI Part 2. In the play and in real life, Eleanor was accused and found guilty of using witchcraft which led to severe consequences, but fortunately not death. It was, of course, much more complicated than what we see in Shakespeare. By looking into the life and downfall of Eleanor Cobham, we see a smart woman who was caught in the crossfire of a power struggle between her husband and his enemies. She did what she could to survive, but only managed to avoid death in the end.   At her birth, no one would have anticipated that Eleanor would eventually become the most powerful woman in England. However, that is exactly what happened. She married Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, the regent of England and heir to the throne. The King, Henry VI, was a child for most of her marriage. Humphrey was not the only one vying for power though, with his strongest enemies being Cardinal Beaufort and the Duke of Suffolk. These two proved to be a powerful team and made cunning moves to take down Humphrey by taking down his beloved wife. Eleanor did her best to survive, which she did, but she ultimately lost everything. By all accounts, Humphrey was a broken man. It's an interesting tale full of twists and turns that was expertly laid out by Gemma Hollman in her book Royal Witches. Join us on this journey and learn what Shakespeare got right and what he got wrong. Full show notes at ripegoodscholar.com/ep40   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hello and welcome to Ripe Good Scholar, spooky edition. Since it's Halloween, let's explore a topic that would have been all too familiar to the Shakespearean audience: witches. King James in particular was very anti-witch and led some of the most brutal witch hunts in history. Today Dr. Lisa Grogan and I are going to explore the history of witchcraft and witch hunts, specifically focusing on the time of King James. Lisa is familiar with the history of witchcraft because she identifies as a witch and follows the wiccan religion. Join us as we explore what it was to be a witch and how the perception of witches changed over time   For this episode we watched a documentary on the Malleus Maleficarum and looked over King James' Daemonologie. If you want to check out those and so much more, head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep45.   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Oppressive Gloom by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4174-oppressive-gloom License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

This is episode 38 of Ripe Good Scholar: Venus, Adonis, and Ovid Hello and welcome to Ripe Good Scholar. During his school days Shakespeare was studying the Latin classics, including one that would be a favorite in his life as a playwright, Ovid. Shakespeare adapted a story from Ovid into his best-selling poem, Venus and Adonis. While we are very familiar with Shakespeare adapting other works, readers may be surprised to notice such a stark difference between the two tellings. That is why today Eli and I will be examining the story in both Ovid and Shakespeare to find the differences and identify a few surprising similarities. For this episode I read Charles Martin's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses, along with Shakespeare's Venus and Adonis and several other articles. If you want to check out those and so much more, head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep38. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hello and welcome to Ripe Good Scholar. One of the first written references to Shakespeare in the London Theater scene is a pamphlet written by Robert Greene on his deathbed, A Groatsworth of Wit. In it, he warns his fellow playwrights to beware of this “upstart crow” who was coming in to steal their glory. These Shakespeare references are why the pamphlet is so well known today, but there is so much more to it than that. There is a story, a peek into the inner world of Elizabethan theater and some insults so damning that the editor had to issue an apology. It's a compelling pamphlet for all those reasons and more which is why we will be exploring it today. For this episode I read A Groatsworth of Wit, modernized by Nina Green, along with several other articles. If you want to check out those and so much more, head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep37.   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hello and welcome to Ripe Good Scholar. William Shakespeare is not just a staple of British culture. His works are an important staple of American culture as well. This evolution was not a simple one or one that was straight forward. There were obstacles to overcome and despite the questionable odds, Shakespeare became ingrained in American culture. Today we are going to look at the early days of the american colonies and when Shakespeare made the journey across the Atlantic. It's an interesting look into the history of America and the role Shakespeare played in the early days of our country. For this episode I read Shakespeare and the Making of America by Kevin J. Hayes. If you want to check out that book and so much more, head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep36.   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode… Dr. Lisa Grogan and I will take a look at Leontes' from The Winter's Tale. Early in the play, he becomes obsessed with the idea that his wife is having an affair with his friend, the King of Bohemia. His paranoia escalates quickly and, once he suffers any consequences, subsides just as quickly. This, to me, seemed unrealistic, so I spoke with Dr. Grogan about it. Her insights were interesting because the pattern was realistic, just sped up, which is pretty on par with Shakespeare. In addition to examining Leontes in particular, we discuss paranoid delusions in general, what it looks like, and how to combat it. While this episode can provide some interesting insight into the character of Leontes and the inner workings of his mind, it is not medical advice that should be applied outside of fictional characters. If you suspect you or someone in your life is suffering from paranoid delusions, please seek the help of a medical professional. For the full show notes, go to ripegoodscholar.com/ep25 Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to episode 34 of Ripe Good Scholar: City Comedies. In this episode, Eli and I will be discussing one of the most popular play genres of Shakespeare's time, the city comedy. While the precise definition is difficult, the basic definition is a play which focuses on the day to day happenings of the middle class. Common topics were sex and money. The comedy also tended to be on the raunchier or bawdier side. It's like if you took all of the most hilarious scenes in Shakespeare's plays and put them into one play. Because the plays focus on everyday people and everyday occurrences (more or less) they are able to poke fun at the ridiculousness of everyday life. It's what makes them enjoyable long after they were written. Although the genre was popular at the time, Shakespeare only penned one: The Merry Wives of Windsor. Merry Wives relies on a few of the common tropes seen in city comedies, which is what makes it an excellent study of the subgenre. Today, Eli and I will be looking at city comedies and what makes Merry Wives an excellent one. For this episode, I relied primarily on Citizen Comedy in the Age of Shakespeare by Alexander Leggatt. For the full show notes go to ripegoodscholar.com/ep34   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to episode #33 of Ripe Good Scholar the podcast where we explore the journey Shakespeare's texts have travelled through the centuries.   In this episode, Eli and I will be comparing Shakespeare's Cymbeline to the folktale Snow White. Despite the fact that Snow White was not published until decades after Shakespeare's death, the folktale would have been passed down through the oral tradition for many years before publication. It is these oral tales that influenced Shakespeare as he wrote his play. In fact, it looks like Shakespeare drew inspiration from a few different folktales to tell the story of Cymbeline, but today our focus is on Imogen and her similarities to Snow White. It is worth noting that the story of Cymbeline also appears in Holinshed's Chronicles. We have not looked at that story yet, so we will have to wait and see whether it was Shakespeare or Holinshed that took inspiration from folktales. For the full show notes head over to ripegoodscholar.com/ep33

Welcome to episode 32 of Ripe Good Scholar: The Analyzing of a Shrew.   In this episode… Dr. Lisa Grogan and I will take a trip through the mind of Katherine from The Taming of a Shrew. From the start of the play, Katherine is portrayed as an unpleasant and outspoken woman. These traits make her an outcast in her society. The people in her life make it clear to her that her behavior is not desirable or even very likable. It doesn't prompt her to change though, even though it makes finding a husband difficult. She would rather be true to herself than conform, which makes her a rather admirable woman.   However, no one in the play seems to appreciate Katherine's self-confidence. With all of the comments and insults flung her way, it's no wonder Katherine behaves like a “shrew.” It begs the question: what came first the insults or the shrew? For full show notes go to: ripegoodscholar.com/episodes/analyzing-shrew   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Following the Restoration of the monarchy and therefore playhouses, Shakespeare's plays had to change with the changing expectations of theatre. Show notes: ripegoodscholar.com/ep32   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to episode 30 of Ripe Good Scholar: Darkness Representing Evil   In this episode… We are looking at the evolution of race from the Middle Ages to Shakespeare's time. The discussion is more complicated than we might think. This period of time was when the concept of race as we know it today was being forged. Renaissance Europe was experiencing a huge step forward in globalization. This period was the beginning of colonization and the slave trade. There was also a LOT of trade happening. This meant that what was an exotic other was suddenly very close to home. The people of Renaissance Europe had to figure out what this meant for them and how to interact with these new darker skinned people. Unfortunately, it wasn't usually pleasant, but that is what colored Shakespeare's writing as he introduced characters of color. That is what we are going to be exploring today.   For this episode, I read a selection from the Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare and Race, along with a number of articles you will find linked in the show notes.   Full show notes available at ripegoodscholar.com/ep30   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to episode 29 of Ripe Good Scholar: The Norse Origins of Hamlet.   In this episode… We will be taking a deep dive into the texts that inspired Shakespeare's Hamlet. It all started in the early days of Danish history and went through a few iterations before finally reaching Shakespeare. Without these texts that came before, we may not have the amazing play that we have today. It's important to acknowledge and pay homage to these texts as we appreciate the surviving masterpiece, which is exactly what we will be doing today. For this episode, I read The Norse Hamlet translated and composed by Soren Filipski.   For the full episode show notes visit: ripegoodscholar.com/episodes/norse-hamlet   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

There's a lot going on in King Lear. There are big emotions and tons of drama. It's what makes the play so compelling. However, it's more than just drama that draws us in. It's that human element that we immediately identify with in some capacity. Today, I'm going to talk with Dr. Lisa Grogan about Lear and why he is the way that he is.   Full show notes at ripegoodscholar.com/ep28   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode we will be looking at how Shakespeare's First Folio came to be and the lasting effect it had on our image of Shakespeare. There were a handful of people involved in the creation of the First Folio and each has an interesting story to tell. Beyond that, the process of getting such a large book published would have been a feat in and of itself. These efforts were not in vain though because the impact of the First Folio can be felt even today. For this episode, I had the opportunity to speak with Emma Smith about her book Shakespeare's First Folio.   Find the full show notes at ripegoodscholar.com/ep27   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In 1575 Elizabeth travelled to the home of Robert Dudley and, while there, was greeted by the Lady of the Lake herself. From that point forward, it became a trope to compare Elizabeth to the Fairy Queen. Even Shakespeare himself dipped his toes in the fairy waters with a Midsummer Night's Dream, but his flattery was a little different than you may be expecting.   Find the full show notes at ripegoodscholar.com/ep26   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Welcome to episode 25 of Ripe Good Scholar: Jewish people in Elizabethan England In this episode… We will explore the history of the Jewish people in England and across Europe. In addition, we will look at the stereotypes believed by Elizabethans and how it may have influenced Shakespeare as he wrote The Merchant of Venice. Today, Shylock is often depicted as a sympathetic character. However, this was not necessarily the case in Elizabethan England.   Find the full show notes at ripegoodscholar/ep25   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Today we look at the materials Shakespeare used to write Romeo and Juliet. This includes the novella by Matteo Bandello. The poem by Arthur Brook and the short story by William Painter. Let's dive in to see how the story got to Shakespeare and how he changed it. Show notes can be found at: ripegoodscholar.com/ep25   Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-tales License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/   Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeod Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guild License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“Brokering and improving source texts explains how his crowd-pulling plays rapidly had an audience, and how he rapidly came to be known as a man of the theatre. The pillaging of sources also accounts for the early dates of several plays, and the fact that plays with confusingly similar names, plots and characters existed before Shakespeare could have written them. Substantially freed from the need to conceive of scenarios, characters and plots, Shakespeare could focus on the writing, and the drama.” - Stuart Kells, Shakespeare’s Library When we think of Shakespeare, too often the image comes to mind of a lone writer hunched over his parchment, scribbling away on his quill as the candle burns down to the wick. There are no books around him, no stories he is pulling from, just an author, his mind, and his pen. That’s not accurate though. That is a carefully curated image designed to raise Shakespeare to this higher level than all other authors. We have to think differently though. We have to see Shakespeare for what he was to properly appreciate the work behind the works. That is what Eli and I will be discussing today, Shakespeare as a Writer. We will look at how he got his stories and honed his skills. Grab your quill and ink, it’s time to meet Shakespeare. Sources:Shakespeare’s Library by Stuart KellsGlobe by Catherine ArnoldThe Globe Guide to Shakespeare Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“Now Antonius was made so subject to a woman’s will, that though he was a great deal stronger by land, yet for Clepatra’s sake he would needs have this battle tried by sea.” - Plutarch in Parallel LivesWe cannot underestimate the role Shakespeare played in establishing Antony and Cleopatra as one of the world’s most infamous tragic couples. Their story is a unique and powerful one. They were two of the ancient world’s most powerful people and when they came together, they should have been a force to be reckoned with. However, their love destroyed them both in an epic way. Their lives had the makings of an amazing story, which is probably why Shakespeare decided to put his own spin on it. Today Eli and I will be discussing the source material Shakespeare used when he wrote Antony and Cleopatra, so strap on your sandals. We’re heading to Ancient Rome. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

I thought I heard a voice cry, “Sleep no more! Macbeth is murdering sleep.” Innocent sleep. Sleep that soothes away all our worries. Sleep that puts each day to rest. Sleep that relieves the weary laborer and heals hurt minds. Sleep, the main course in life’s feast, and the most nourishing.MacBeth Act 2 Scene 2There can be no doubt that Macbeth is a tragedy. It is filled with ominous prophecy and - above all else - death. The key plot point is the murder of King Duncan committed by the MacBeths to secure their power. From that murder, all others seem to flow. Murder and violence seems to haunt the Macbeths. Lady MacBeth in particular loses all touch with reality and ultimately ends her own life. She seems to suffer the most from the trauma.And that is what Dr. Lisa Grogan and I will be discussing today. We will examine the psychological symptoms displayed by Lady MacBeth and discuss how accurately they represent the trauma response. There is discussion of trauma, PTSD, and suicide in this episode, so if that will bother you, it may be best to skip this episode. With that out of the way, let’s dive into the dark depths of Lady MacBeth. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Trigger Warning: Child Loss “If William Shakespeare wrote about his son’s death at all, he concealed it in the lines of his late sonnets and plays that reveal a depth of understanding about grief.” - Vanessa Thorpe, Alas, Poor Hamnet, The GuardianBecause there is so little known about Shakespeare’s private life, we are left to speculate. We no nothing of his private life and his relationship with his family. All we know is what is contained within the surviving records. We know he had three children: two daughters and one son. We also know that his only son died at the age of eleven. That is all we know of Hamnet Shakespeare. The rest is left to speculation.Hamnet seems to be a particular focus of speculation because his name reminds us of Hamlet, one of Shakespeare’s most tragic characters. The similarity is not lost on us, so it is easy to assume it was not lost on Shakespeare. We don’t have any of Shakespeare’s personal writings, so we don’t have any personal testimonies as a grieving father. However, we can look to his writing for hints of the long lost Hamnet and what he meant to Shakespeare.Fair warning, this episode is a little more somber than usual. Sources:The Death of Hamnet and the Making of Hamlet by Stephen GreenblattAlas Poor Hamnet: spotlight falls on Shakespeare’s tragic only son by Vanessa Thorpe in The GaurdianTeller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“Shakespeare’s unpleasant young men are numerous. Bertram, as a vacuity, is authentically noxious.” - Harold Bloom in Shakespeare: The Invention of the HumanAs I reached the end of All’s Well That Ends Well, I found myself asking: but does it all end well? Helena, by all accounts a wonderful woman, ends up married to the man of her dreams, who - as it turns out - is an all around terrible person. She fought long and hard with many ingenious plots to win Bertram. We’re left wondering why though. She is beautiful, intelligent, and kind. Bertram is a selfish, lying snob. Yay for Helena, I guess?It probably won’t surprise you that I am not the only one who felt this way. Many, many scholars see Bertram the same way. Some try to make excuses for him, but none do so successfully in my opinion. Bertram abandons his awesome wife and tries to sleep with another woman, Diana, lying about his intentions the whole time. Once he thinks Helena is dead, he returns to marry a totally different woman. When he’s caught in one of his many lies he tries to lie his way out and calls Diana a whore. He does nothing redeeming in the entire play, but still ends up happily married.Join Eli and I as we discuss whether it does really all end well. Trigger warning: there is a brief discussion about rape. And with that, on with the show… Sources:Asimov’s Guide to Shakespeare by Isaac AsimovShakespeare After All by Marjorie GerberShakespeare: The Invention of the Human by Harold Bloom Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“I could draw forth a catalogue of many poore wretches, that in fields, in ditches, in common Cages, and under stalls (being either thrust by cruell maisters out of doores, or wanting all worldly succor but the common benefit of earth and aire) have most miserably perished.” -Thomas Dekker “The Wonderful Year” The bubonic plague was a regular part of Shakespeare’s life. He lived through several large outbreaks, and even when there wasn’t an outbreak, the threat always loomed. With each wave significant portions of the population died. Death was everywhere and the ringing of the church bells served as a grim reminder. Shakespeare, as a man of the theater, was particularly susceptible to the effects of plague because an outbreak meant the theaters closed, which meant he received no pay.  So, what did Shakespeare do with his time? Well, he most likely wrote. In his early years, it was poetry to be published. In his later years, he probably wrote plays. Today we will be exploring how the bubonic plague affected Shakespeare and his writing. Strap on your plague masks and join me and Eli as we discuss plague shutdowns in Shakespeare’s England. Sources:The GuardianThe Folger Shakespeare Library Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“From his father’s usurpation of Richard II’s throne in 1399, when Henry was but twelve, he was active in the government of England. [...] Henry V came to the throne extensively experienced in politics, administration, and warfare: few kings have been so well trained for their job.”  - Peter Saccio in Shakespeare’s English KingsHenry IV Parts 1 and 2 are some of the least historically accurate of all of Shakespeare’s history, and that is saying something. This is largely due to the fact that he focused so much of the play on Prince Hal, the future Henry V. Shakespeare was working with what the Tudor chroniclers provided him, which was an inaccurate portrayal of the young prince. They painted Prince Hal as a lecherous youth that drank too much, was friends with the wrong sorts of people, and even committed a few crimes.This picture, according to contemporary records of the time, is almost certainly wrong. From a very young age, Hal was participating in battles and leading armies. For years before his father’s death, he dominated the council and essentially ruled for a period of time. That is not to say that everything about Shakespeare was wrong. There was a certain amount of tension between father and son over Henry IV’s fear of being usurped by his own son. In the end, we have a complicated picture of a complicated prince, so what exactly is wrong and right about Shakespeare’s portrayal? That is what Eli and I will be exploring today, so grab your sack and let’s spend some time with Prince Hal. Sources:Shakespeare’s English Kings by Peter SaccioAsimov’s Guide to Shakespeare by Isaac AsimovFoundations: The History of England from Its Earliest Beginnings to the Tudors by Peter AckroydThis Realm of England Vol. 2 1399 to 1688 by Lacey Baldwin Smithrddddd Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Breaking Bard, I’m your host Sara. You may have noticed a distinct lack of a cold open. That is because this episode is very long and my fluff was deemed unnecessary...by me. On today’s episode I am joined by Dr. Lisa Grogan, a clinical psychologist and close friend. I am also joined by Sara Clark with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. She was casted to play Hamlet in a production that was cancelled as of our recording. However, since recording, they have announced that Hamlet will kick off their 2020-2021 season in August. I for one, am pumped. Please enjoy as I discuss Hamlet and grief with these two intelligent women. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“For now will I go straight to my matter,In which you may the double sorrows hearOf Troilus in loving of Criseyde,And how that she forsook him ere she died.”Troilus and Creseyde by Geoffrey Chaucer Troilus and Cressida is one of Shakespeare’s lesser known plays, and I kind of understand why. The ending is not the most satisfying. However, Shakespeare did not come up with this story. Chaucer did. Or at least, Chaucer wrote it down. Of course, Shakespeare adapted the story for the stage, but the core elements are there.The key difference between Shakespeare’s version and Chaucer’s is that Chaucer was making a clear statement about courtly love. The idea that loving someone brought you closer to the divine. Shakespeare’s play does not have such a clear message. In fact, by shortening the timeline and making the characters more blunt, Shakespeare seems to have an almost nihilistic view of the situation. All the mushy love stuff is stripped away and we are left with harsh reality. Shakespeare adapting source material is nothing new, however, this example is notable because of what changed. Today, Eli and I will be discussing Troilus and Cressida, so strap on your armor, we’re heading to Troy. Sources:Bradbook, M.C. “What Shakespeare Did to Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde.” Shakespeare Quarterly, vol. 9, no. 3, 1958, pp. 311-319., doi:10.2307/2867331. Accessed April  2020.Davis-Brown, Kris. “Shakespeare’s Use of Chaucer in ‘Troilus and Cressida’: ‘That the Will is Infinite and he Execution Confined.’” South Central Review, vol. 5, no. 2, 1988, pp. 15-34., doi:10.2307/3189567. Accessed April 2020. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“The swooning lover crashed into Elizabeth’s chamber in his filthy travelling clothes ‘so full of dirt and mire that his very face was full of it’ to confront his fair mistress, barely out of bed, her wrinkles brutally exposed in the morning light and her wig off." - Lisa Hilton, The Renaissance PrinceThe swooning lover here is Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex and that wrinkled old woman is Queen Elizabeth I. Unsurprisingly, this incident marked the start of Essex’s downfall. Prior to this time, he was the Queen’s favorite. He benefited greatly from her favor and seemed to know how to keep it. She gave him money and power. He was a tireless flirt.Success did not become him, however. He became arrogant and just generally unpleasant to be around. Elizabeth was fond of him though, so the other courtiers had to stay silent and wait. Fortunately for them, they didn’t have to wait long because he quickly wasted an opportunity. He should have kept in mind that Elizabeth regularly banished favorites from court for getting married without her permission. He didn’t though and his fall was spectacular. Spoiler alert, he gets executed.Today, we’ll be discussing the Essex Rebellion and the role Shakespeare played. Sources:Elizabeth: Renaissance Prince by Lisa HiltonElizabeth’s Bedfellow by Anna Whitelock Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“Two households both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;Whose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents’ strife.”-Prologue, Romeo and JulietNearly everyone is familiar with the tragic tale of Romeo and Juliet, two teens in love separated by their warring families. These two teens are often put up on a pedestal as the perfect representation of love. There’s even a whole movie about it, Shakespeare in Love. But, are they?They are young teens, who meet, fall in love, get married, and commit suicide in less than a week. On the surface, not exactly what one would aspire to emulate. And yet, here we are. It begs the question, is it possible that they were in love that quickly? The play is without a doubt full of beautiful, poetic language and packed full of emotion, but does it accurately represent love?These are the questions Eli and I will be grappling with today as we discuss Romeo and Juliet. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“It has become a commonplace of Shakespearian biography that, from roughly his age of twenty to his age of twenty-eight, we encounter the ‘lost years.’ But no years are ever wholly lost. There may be a gap in chronology, but the pattern of a life may be discerned obliquely and indirectly.” - Peter Ackroyd in Shakespeare the BiographyFrom the birth of his twins to his arrival on the London theatre scene, we have no record of what Shakespeare was doing. This isn’t from a lack of trying, but if you weren’t getting baptised, married or buried, if you weren’t involved in a court case or a land purchase, and you weren’t a member of the nobility, you basically didn’t exist. If no one was writing about you, there would be no record. On top of that, Elizabethan record keeping wasn’t exactly top notch and there were quite a few fires thrown in there for good measure. What does this all mean? Well, it means we will never be able to say for 100% certainty what Shakespeare was doing during these years. We can make educated guesses and speculate, but until a magic document shows up, there’s no irrefutable proof. Not all hypotheses are created equal though, so it is worth examining the most prevalent theories and how likely or unlikely they are. Which is exactly what Eli and I will be doing today. Strap on your deductive reasoning caps and let’s explore Shakespeare’s lost years.  Primary research sources:Shakespeare: The Biography by Peter AckroydThe Shakespeare Birthplace Trust Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“And therefore, since I cannot prove a lover,To entertain these fair well-spoken days,I am determined to prove a villainAnd hate the idle pleasures of these days.Plots have I laid, inductions dangerous,By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams,To set my brother Clarence and the kingIn deadly hate the one against the other”Richard III Act I, Scene 1When I say, Richard III, images of a hunchback villain likely come to mind. One that is cruel and tyrannical to his core. A man obsessed with power and willing to go to almost any length to secure that power. This image is what the Tudors wanted us to believe. It was Henry Tudor, or Henry VII, that defeated Richard and brought a new era of peace to England. That’s not the whole story though. Henry Tudor had a pretty weak claim to the throne, so they had to use propaganda to secure the Tudor dynasty. This meant painting Richard as the villain, and they did that very effectively. The Tudor chroniclers bent the truth of what happened to provide nefarious motives that were not laid out by contemporaries.It was the Tudor chroniclers that Shakespeare sourced from for his plays, namely Holinshed. This meant that Shakespeare dramatized history and in doing so, created one of the most memorable villains of all time. In terms of events, Shakespeare is largely accurate. He compresses timelines, of course, but overall what happened in Shakespeare happened in reality. Where the play deviates from reality appears to be with Richard’s character, so that is what Eli and I will be exploring today. It’s time to look past the Tudor myth and find out who the real Richard III was. Key source material: Richard III by Chris Skidmore Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“But screw your courage to the sticking place and we’ll not fail” - Lady MacBeth Act I, Scene 7 of the Scottish PlayMany have heard of MacBeth, the tyrannical title character of one of Shakespeare’s most famous plays. Many more are unaware that MacBeth was a real Scottish King. Shakespeare however was completely aware because he relied heavily of Raphael Holinshed’s history of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Now, whether Holinshed was accurate to history is a whole different story, but Shakespeare borrowed heavily from the works of Holinshed while writing the Scottish Play.But, just how much did Shakespeare borrow from Holinshed? Was he quote unquote true to the history of MacBeth, or did he pull from a few other places? That is what we will be discussing today and by the end of it, hopefully we will have answered these questions and much, much more. So, don your favorite kilt and let’s head off to Scotland. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A little disclaimer about this episode. Dr. Lisa Grogan and I are talking about Portia from Julius Caesar. There is a significant discussion about self-harm and suicide, so if those are subjects that bother you, you may want to skip this episode. “I have made strong proof of my constancy, giving myself a voluntary wound here, in the thigh; can I bear that with patience and not my husband’s secrets?” Portia in Julius Caesar Act 2, Scene 1Brutus’ wife, Portia, has a tiny part in Julius Caesar, but there is a lot to unpack there. We are introduced to Portia when she stabs herself in the leg to prove her loyalty to Brutus. Then, she has a clear panic attack when he goes to stab Caesar. Finally, we get the news that she committed suicide after being overwhelmed with anxiety about Brutus’ fate. See what I mean? There’s a lot there, so I decided this would be an excellent topic for me to discuss with my dear friend Dr. Grogan and see what treatment options would be available to Portia today. This gets a little heavy, but please join us as we dive into the psyche of Portia. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“We fairies that do run.../ Following the darkness like a dream/ Now are frolic; not a mouse/ Shall disturb this hallowed house./ I am sent with broom before/ To sweep the dust behind the door” Midsummer Night’s Dream Act 5 Scene 1Today when we hear the word fairy, a small winged creature probably comes to mind. A little glowing girl fluttering amongst the flowers. This, however, would not be the image that came to mind for most Elizabethan playgoers. They would have been picturing a wide variety of creatures that were all shapes, sizes, and colors. Some were benevolent and some were evil. One thing was for certain though, you did not want to anger a fairy.Today we will be discussing fairy lore as Shakespeare’s audience would have understood them. There was a long held belief in fairies and so the lore behind them is plentiful. We do our best to sum up what a fairy was to Shakespeare and his audience, but there is so much more to talk about for those who are interested. So, sit back, relax, and come into the English countryside with us to learn all about the fairy folk.Primary resource: "At the Bottom of the Garden" by Diane Purkiss Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“A nobler man, a braver warrior, lives not this day within the city wall” - Titus Andronicus Act I, Scene 1Not too many people are familiar with Titus Andronicus, one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays. It is also easily Shakespeare’s goriest play. Most of the main characters die, some after horrible mutilation. A couple even get baked into a pie and fed to their mom. It’s quite a doozy. The copious amount of violence can make it easy to dismiss this particular play. However, that is doing a disservice to Shakespeare and the possible audience. You see, Titus is a perfect example of how man’s own faults can lead to his ultimate downfall. The question though is what is that flaw? Is it loyalty? A commitment to the status quo? Or a need to follow the correct protocol? Perhaps it’s a little bit of everything.Join Eli and I as we discuss Titus and his flaws.Check out by blog at ripegoodscholar.comTeller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

“We may see the young Shakespeare, therefore, spending thirty or forty hours each week in memorising, construing, parsing and repeating prose and verse in Latin. We may hear him talking the language, to his schoolmaster and to his fellow pupils.” Peter Ackroyd in Shakespeare: A BiographyA common argument of anti-Stratfordians is that Shakespeare was uneducated. He only completed grammar school and never even attended a single day of university. So, it seems impossible that a man with a “grade school” education could grow up to be such a prolific writer. That idea, though, completely disregards the realities of Elizabethan Grammar School.Yes, Shakespeare only attended school for about four years. However, in those four years he received an education similar to that of a modern day classics undergraduate. The students, by years three and four, were encouraged to speak only Latin at school. That means for 12+ hours a day for 5 ½ days per week for 44 weeks per year, they were speaking Latin. To say Shakespeare was uneducated is simply incorrect. He was not as educated as other writers, but with his grammar school education he was given all of the tools necessary to write his plays.Today, we will be taking a closer look at what Shakespeare’s education was like and how it contributed to the writer he became. Grab your quill and ink pot and let’s head to school.Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

One of Shakespeare’s earliest and arguably worst plays is probably Henry VI, all three parts. It’s essentially about the start of the wars of the roses. As such, I would not qualify Henry as the star of his own play. This is actually an excellent reflection of his life. He was king from infancy and lacked the strong will necessary to be a medieval ruler, so he was dominated by other nobles and even his own wife. By some accounts he was feeble minded, by others extremely pious. One thing the historians can agree on however, is that he had some sort of mental breakdown. He went into what we would now call a catatonia for over a year. It has been the source of much debate for centuries. Today, Dr. Lisa and I take on the task and discuss what a possible diagnosis could have been. Sit back, enjoy, and let’s jump into Henry’s head. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Beginning quote from the unpublished biography of Henry VI by Kerry R. J. Tattersall

"Sweet Proteus, no; now let us take our leave to Milan let me hear from thee by letters of thy success in love, and what news else betideth here in absence of thy friend and I likewise will visit thee with mine" - The Two Gentlemen of Verona Act 1, Scene 1For being an Englishman, Shakespeare set a surprisingly few number of plays in England. Many people assert that Shakespeare either travelled Europe during the lost years or was not the man from Stratford at all. These people seem to forget that Shakespeare had an extremely poor grasp of geography, so bad in fact that it is almost easier to believe that Shakespeare never saw a map than it is to believe he travelled to Italy. Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this episode we look into the plot points of William Shakespeare's A Comedy of Errors and why it makes for an excellent farce. Music: Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/  Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Sometime around 1595 William Shakespeare penned a new play, The Life and Death of King Richard II. If you couldn’t already guess, it was a history play. History plays were all the rage at the time. However, it was a daring endeavor because it depicted the deposition of a legitimate monarch. One shouldn’t be too surprised that the current monarch at the time, Elizabeth I, who faced multiple coup and assasination attempts, may have not been the biggest fan of a deposition play. But, the play went on with the deposition scene usually removed. I say usually because there was one critical performance that included this classic and controversial scene. The Earl of Essex, Elizabeth’s former favorite, paid to have the play performed with the deposition scene. This was because he was planning a revolt. It epically failed. However, Elizabeth, according to legend, was supposed to have said that she was Richard II. Is this true? Who was Richard II? Why was he so hated? Because the play only covers a very small portion of his life, and the audience would have been familiar with the whole story, we will spend our time today looking at the entire Life (and death) of Richard II.Sources:The Making of England 4th edition by Warren HollisterThe Kings and Queens of England by Jane MurrayFoundation by Peter AckroydShakespeare's English Kings by Peter SaccioAsimov's Guide to Shakespeare by Isaac Asimov Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In this introductory episode, we explore the thesis of the podcast: the need to break down bardolatry.  Teller of Tales by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4467-teller-of-the-talesLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Minstrel Guild by KevinMacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4056-minstrel-guildLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/