Folk-lore of Shakespeare

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

—

Title

Folk-lore of Shakespeare

Language

en

Book source

Global Grey

Description max 80 words

This richly researched Victorian study connects Shakespeare's language and imagery to Elizabethan folk beliefs, superstitions, and rural customs. Ideal for students and readers exploring the cultural context behind the plays.

Summary up to 500 words

Thomas Firminger Thiselton-Dyer's 'Folk-lore of Shakespeare' offers a comprehensive exploration of Elizabethan social life as reflected in the Bard's works. The text argues that Shakespeare possessed an intimate acquaintance with the folk-lore of bygone days, drawing upon a rich treasury of knowledge picked up intuitively from rural habits and popular traditions. The book systematically groups various subjects relating to domestic history, beginning with the 'fairy tribe,' where Shakespeare's imagination is seen to have poured forth graphic accounts of elves, fairies, and spirits like Puck and Queen Mab. The author details how Shakespeare blended village elves with romantic fays, creating a unique fairy kingdom in 'Midsummer Night's Dream.' The study extends to natural phenomena, animals, plants, and insects, illustrating how Shakespeare's characters and settings are deeply rooted in contemporary superstitions. Significant attention is given to customs connected with the calendar, including observances for Good Friday, Easter, St. David's Day, St. Patrick's Day, St. George's Day, and May Day. The text examines specific rituals such as wearing new clothes on Easter, the wearing of leeks by the Welsh on St. David's Day, and the popular May Day festivities involving May-poles and Morris dances. Furthermore, the work delves into superstitions regarding birth, marriage, death, rings, precious stones, and human body parts, alongside proverbs and sports. Through these detailed examinations, the book reveals how Shakespeare's plays serve as a repository of the era's beliefs, from the mischievous properties of Robin Goodfellow to the solemnities of burial rites, providing an invaluable cultural backdrop for understanding the playwright's genius and the world he depicted.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

Download URL

https://www.globalgreyebooks.com/ebooks/thomas-firminger-thiselton-dyer_folk-lore-of-shakespeare.epub

Local file path

data/epubs/url-173711ec4eb04535.epub

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Categories

• Classics
• Folklore