The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 18.0408  Monday, 25 June 2007

From: 		Larry Weiss <
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 >
Date: 		Friday, 22 Jun 2007 12:15:43 -0400
Subject: 18.0405 How long to write a play?
Comment: 	Re: SHK 18.0405 How long to write a play?

 >I always wondered how long it took Shakespeare, or Marlowe,
 >to write those historical plays which show a profound knowledge
 >of English History.

It appears that WS had only one or two sources -- Holinshed and (for the 
Wars of the Roses) Hall.  The plays show no evidence that he looked at 
primary sources or any other secondary sources (if there were any). 
Indeed, some passages in the plays are little more than versifications 
of what Holinshed wrote. I am thinking in particular of the Archbishop's 
exegesis on the Salic law in HenV,I.ii and many passages in HenVIII, 
including Shakespearean passages.

_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, 
 This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
The S H A K S P E R Web Site <http://www.shaksper.net>

DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the 
opinions expressed on it are the sole property of the poster, and the 
editor assumes no responsibility for them.