Shakespeares History Plays

In the grand theatre of literary history, where the playwrights strut and fret like isolated souls on an Elizabethan stage, EMW Tillyard’s "Shakespeare’s History Plays" emerges like an unexpected plot twist, a peculiar blend of scholarship and theatricality. Published in the delightfully retro year of 1964 by Peregrine, this book is a scholarly excursion into the stagecraft and political machinations of Shakespeare’s historical dramas. It’s as if someone decided to give history a couple of cups of tea, a dramatic monologue, and a well-placed dagger.

Now, one might wonder why anyone would need yet another book about Shakespeare. After all, we live in an age where even your pet goldfish could probably recite "To be or not to be" if it were given enough time and a good enough incentive (like the promise of fish flakes). Yet Tillyard, with his academic flair and flair for the absurd, puts forth an argument that is as enduring as the Bard himself: that history is not merely a list of dry facts but a grand performance full of pomp, circumstance, and the occasional bout of treachery.

The book meanders through the history plays with a wit that is almost as sharp as a Tudor executioner’s axe. Tillyard suggests that these plays, much like your Aunt Mabel’s Christmas pudding, are a curious concoction of various ingredients—some sweet, some a bit burnt, and all strangely compelling. His exploration of history as theatre will leave readers contemplating the fine line between fact and fiction, much like trying to figure out which of your friends has actually read "Hamlet" and which ones are merely pretending after seeing the Kenneth Branagh film.

Within these pages, you will find a discussion of the great historical figures of yore—Henry V, Richard III, and perhaps the most riveting of all, the underappreciated Earl of Wessex—who all strut about in their tights and ruff collars, playing out their destinies under the watchful eye of a rather cheeky playwright. Did they get their moment of glory because they were truly great leaders, or were they merely cast well? Tillyard tackles this question with the finesse of a juggler at a village fair, keeping the audience captivated even as he drops the occasional ball.

And yet, one cannot help but ponder the absurdity of trying to encapsulate the chaotic brilliance of Shakespeare’s works within the bounds of academic prose. It’s like trying to bottle the laughter of a child or the scent of freshly baked bread—futile, often messy, and ultimately a bit ridiculous. Tillyard, with his earnest intentions, may inadvertently remind readers that even the most revered figures of history were, at times, nothing more than actors in a grand play, often subject to the whims of fate, public opinion, and, of course, the occasional rogue playwright.

This edition of Tillyard’s magnum opus is in "Good" condition, which is to say that it has survived the test of time with all the grace of a seasoned thespian who has spent a few too many hours in the sun. The cover may show signs of wear, much like the ageing charm of your local pub, and the pages, while intact, carry the scent of wisdom and the faint aroma of a distant library.

Condition: The book is in surprisingly good shape despite its vintage aura, with pages that are still crisp enough to feel like you’re flipping through history itself (though perhaps not the history you recall from your last school lesson). Creases and dog-eared corners indicate that it has been cherished, read, and possibly even spilled upon during a heated debate about the merits of the Lancasters versus the Yorks. For the discerning scholar or the casual reader, this tome holds the promise of a delightful journey through history that both educates and entertains.

So, if you find yourself longing for a dose of literary wit and a touch of history’s absurdity, look no further than this delightfully quirky volume. It may not answer all your questions about Shakespeare, but it will certainly add a dash of irreverent charm to your bookshelf. Seek out Crappy Old Books, where literary treasures like this await those brave enough to explore the eccentricities of our past.

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