William Shakespeare is widely regarded as one of the greatest playwrights in the history of literature. His works, which include iconic plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Julius Caesar, and King Lear, have captivated audiences for centuries. Despite Shakespeare’s profound impact on English literature, there has been significant scholarly interest in understanding the sources and influences that shaped his works. One area that has garnered much attention is the question of the reference books or sources Shakespeare might have used in the creation of his plays.
Shakespeare’s education, personal experiences, and the literary traditions of his time all contributed to the depth and richness of his writing. In his plays, Shakespeare often borrowed material from classical sources, historical texts, contemporary works, and folklore. Some of these references can be traced back to specific books and texts, which provided inspiration and material for his stories, characters, themes, and ideas. This article will explore the main reference books and texts that may have influenced Shakespeare, as well as the ways in which he adapted these sources to create his unique body of work.
Classical Sources
Shakespeare was a product of the English Renaissance, a period that saw a renewed interest in classical literature, philosophy, and history. Scholars of the time studied Greek and Roman works, which shaped many aspects of English literature. Shakespeare himself would have been familiar with these classical texts, either through formal education or through the works of other Renaissance authors who were influenced by classical writers.
Ovid’s Metamorphoses
One of the most significant classical influences on Shakespeare was the Metamorphoses by the Roman poet Ovid. This epic poem, which tells the story of the world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar, was a key source for many of Shakespeare’s plays, particularly his comedies and romances. Ovid’s Metamorphoses is filled with mythological tales of transformation, which align with many of the themes in Shakespeare’s work, such as the power of love, fate, and the influence of the supernatural.
For instance, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream features numerous references to Ovid’s myths, including the story of Pyramus and Thisbe, which serves as a comedic subplot within the play. Additionally, The Tempest, one of Shakespeare’s later works, reflects the theme of transformation and rebirth, concepts central to Metamorphoses. Shakespeare may have been familiar with Ovid’s work through various translations and commentaries that were available in his time.
Plutarch’s Lives
Another key classical source for Shakespeare was Plutarch’s Lives, a collection of biographies of famous Greek and Roman figures. Plutarch’s work was widely read during the Renaissance, and Shakespeare relied heavily on it when writing his Roman plays, particularly Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, and Coriolanus. In fact, Shakespeare’s portrayal of historical figures such as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, and Cleopatra is directly influenced by Plutarch’s accounts.
Shakespeare adapted Plutarch’s stories, often taking creative liberties with the historical events and characters, but he maintained a focus on the moral and philosophical lessons that Plutarch conveyed. For example, in Julius Caesar, the character of Brutus is portrayed as an honorable and conflicted figure, a portrayal that is deeply rooted in Plutarch’s interpretation of Brutus as a man torn between loyalty to Rome and personal loyalty to Caesar.
Virgil’s Aeneid
Virgil’s Aeneid, an epic poem that tells the story of the Trojan hero Aeneas and his journey to establish Rome, also had an impact on Shakespeare’s writing. The Aeneid was an important text in Renaissance education, and its themes of heroism, fate, and duty resonated with many of Shakespeare’s plays. One notable example of Shakespeare’s engagement with Virgil’s work can be found in Troilus and Cressida, a play that takes place during the Trojan War.
Shakespeare’s treatment of the characters of Troilus and Cressida reflects the tragic tone and complex relationships found in Virgil’s Aeneid, where love and war are intertwined, and heroic ideals are often questioned. The play explores themes of betrayal, love, and the futility of war, all of which echo the larger themes of fate and duty in the Aeneid.
Historical and Contemporary Sources
In addition to classical works, Shakespeare drew heavily on historical texts and contemporary writings for inspiration. Many of his plays are based on real historical events, figures, and conflicts. Shakespeare often turned to historical chronicles and works by contemporary historians to create a framework for his historical plays.
Holinshed’s Chronicles
One of the most important historical sources for Shakespeare was Raphael Holinshed’s Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland. This comprehensive history, first published in 1577 and later revised in 1587, provided a wealth of material for Shakespeare’s history plays, including Richard III, Henry IV, Henry V, Macbeth, and King Lear. Holinshed’s Chronicles was a key reference for Shakespeare’s portrayal of historical figures, battles, and events, though Shakespeare often altered the details for dramatic effect.
For example, Shakespeare’s Macbeth is based on the historical figure of Macbeth, the King of Scotland, but Holinshed’s account of Macbeth’s reign provided Shakespeare with a general outline for the play. While Holinshed’s version was more focused on historical events, Shakespeare used it as a springboard to explore themes of ambition, guilt, and fate, transforming the historical account into a compelling psychological drama.
Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur
Shakespeare also drew upon medieval works, particularly those related to Arthurian legend. Sir Thomas Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur (1485), a collection of tales about King Arthur and his knights, was a popular source for stories of chivalry, honor, and romance. Although Shakespeare did not directly adapt Malory’s Le Morte d’Arthur into a play, elements of Arthurian legend appear in several of his works.
For instance, Shakespeare’s King Lear shares thematic similarities with the Arthurian tales, particularly in its exploration of the relationship between fathers and their children, as well as the concepts of loyalty, betrayal, and justice. Additionally, the romantic aspects of Twelfth Night and The Winter’s Tale echo the ideals of chivalric romance found in Malory’s work.
Contemporary Plays and Literature
Shakespeare was also influenced by the works of his contemporaries. The early modern period in England was a time of vibrant literary activity, with playwrights such as Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and John Lyly producing works that would have been known to Shakespeare. These authors were not only sources of inspiration but also rivals, and their works helped shape the cultural and intellectual environment in which Shakespeare wrote.
For example, Shakespeare’s Hamlet is often seen as a response to earlier plays about the Danish prince, particularly the now-lost play Ur-Hamlet, which may have been written by Thomas Kyd. Kyd’s influence can also be seen in Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus, which bears similarities to Kyd’s The Spanish Tragedy, another popular revenge tragedy of the time. Similarly, Shakespeare’s use of witty wordplay and satirical humor in plays like Love’s Labour’s Lost reflects the influence of contemporary playwrights such as Ben Jonson, who was known for his sharp wit and satirical style.
Shakespeare’s Use of Folklore and Popular Culture
In addition to the classical and historical sources mentioned above, Shakespeare also drew upon English folklore, popular legends, and contemporary cultural references in his plays. These sources were often passed down orally and were deeply ingrained in the collective consciousness of Elizabethan audiences.
Folk Tales and Legends
Many of Shakespeare’s comedies, especially those involving mistaken identities and magical transformations, can be traced back to folk traditions. For example, A Midsummer Night’s Dream features fairy characters and elements of magical transformation, which were drawn from English folklore about fairies and other supernatural beings. Similarly, The Tempest is influenced by the folklore of shipwrecks and island mythology, as well as by the stories of explorers and travelers of the time.
English Ballads and Songs
Shakespeare was also influenced by popular ballads and songs, which were a major part of English folk culture. Many of his plays feature songs or references to popular tunes, which would have been familiar to his audience. For example, Twelfth Night contains several musical numbers, and The Merry Wives of Windsor includes references to popular songs of the day. These references to popular culture helped to make Shakespeare’s plays more accessible and relatable to a wide audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, William Shakespeare’s plays were shaped by a wide variety of reference books and sources, including classical texts, historical chronicles, contemporary works, folklore, and popular culture. Shakespeare’s genius lay in his ability to take these diverse influences and transform them into unique and compelling works of drama. By drawing on classical sources such as Ovid and Plutarch, historical texts like Holinshed’s Chronicles, and the works of his contemporaries, Shakespeare created plays that continue to resonate with audiences today. His ability to adapt and reinterpret existing material, while adding his own insights and creativity, is what has made his works timeless. The reference books and sources that influenced Shakespeare were not mere templates for his plays; they were catalysts for the imagination, allowing him to craft stories that explore universal themes of love, power, ambition, and the human condition.
