A new account of medieval and Renaissance clown traditions reveals the true extent of their cultural influence. From the late-medieval period through to the seventeenth century, English theatrical clowns carried a weighty cultural significance, only to have it stripped from them, sometimes violently, by the close of the Renaissance when the famed "license" of fooling was effectively revoked. This groundbreaking survey of clown traditions in the period looks both at their history, and reveals their hidden cultural contexts and legacies; it has far-reaching implications not only for our general understanding of English clown types, but also their considerable role in defining social, religious and racial boundaries. It begins with an exploration of previously un-noted early representations of blackness in medieval psalters, cycle plays, and Tudor interludes, arguing that they are emblematic of folly and ignorance rather than of evil. Subsequent chapters show how protestants at Cambridge and at court, during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward, patronised a clownish, iconoclastic Lord of Misrule; look at the Elizabethan puritan stage clown; and move on to a provocative reconsideration of the Fool in King Lear, drawing completely fresh conclusions. Finally, the epilogue points to the satirical clowning which took place surreptitiously in the Interregnum, and the (sometimes violent) end of "licensed" folly. Professor ROBERT HORNBACK teaches in the Departments of Literature and Theatre at Oglethorpe University.
| ISBN: | 9781843843566 |
| Publication date: | 18th July 2013 |
| Author: | Robert Hornback |
| Publisher: | D.S. Brewer an imprint of Boydell & Brewer Ltd |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 256 pages |
| Series: | Studies in Renaissance Literature |
| Genres: |
Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval Classic and pre-20th century plays Literature: history and criticism |
A new account of medieval and Renaissance clown traditions reveals the true extent of their cultural influence. From the late-medieval period through to the seventeenth century, English theatrical clowns carried a weighty cultural significance, only to have it stripped from them, sometimes violently, by the close of the Renaissance when the famed "license" of fooling was effectively revoked. This groundbreaking survey of clown traditions in the period looks both at their history, and reveals their hidden cultural contexts and legacies; it has far-reaching implications not only for our general understanding of English clown types, but also their considerable role in defining social, religious and racial boundaries. It begins with an exploration of previously un-noted early representations of blackness in medieval psalters, cycle plays, and Tudor interludes, arguing that they are emblematic of folly and ignorance rather than of evil. Subsequent chapters show how protestants at Cambridge and at court, during the reigns of Henry VIII and Edward, patronised a clownish, iconoclastic Lord of Misrule; look at the Elizabethan puritan stage clown; and move on to a provocative reconsideration of the Fool in King Lear, drawing completely fresh conclusions. Finally, the epilogue points to the satirical clowning which took place surreptitiously in the Interregnum, and the (sometimes violent) end of "licensed" folly. Professor ROBERT HORNBACK teaches in the Departments of Literature and Theatre at Oglethorpe University.
The English Clown Tradition from the Middle Ages to Shakespeare features in the following genres: Literary studies: ancient, classical and medieval, Classic and pre-20th century plays, Literature: history and criticism
The English Clown Tradition from the Middle Ages to Shakespeare is available in Paperback
The English Clown Tradition from the Middle Ages to Shakespeare was written by Robert Hornback and published by D.S. Brewer an imprint of Boydell & Brewer Ltd
The English Clown Tradition from the Middle Ages to Shakespeare has 256 pages
Yes it is part of Studies in Renaissance Literature series