Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

50228

Title

Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Francis Douce's scholarly work offers detailed illustrations and dissertations on Shakespeare's clowns, fools, and ancient manners. It explores sources like the Gesta Romanorum and the English Morris dance, providing historical context for Elizabethan theater, costumes, and customs.

Summary up to 500 words

Francis Douce's *Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners* serves as a comprehensive scholarly reconstruction of the social, theatrical, and historical landscape of Elizabethan England. Published in 1839, this volume combines Francis Douce's extensive research with wood engravings by Jackson to illuminate Shakespeare's works through the lens of contemporary customs. The text features detailed dissertations on the clowns and fools of Shakespeare, the popular tales of the *Gesta Romanorum*, and the traditions of the English Morris dance. Douce meticulously examines specific plays, offering critical notes on stage directions, character names, and textual variations in works such as *Much Ado About Nothing*, *Cymbeline*, and *The Merry Wives of Windsor*. He investigates historical references that modern readers might miss, such as the practice of setting up bills for advertisements in places like St. Paul's Cathedral, the symbolism of willow garlands worn by those forsaken in love, and the origins of various theatrical terms. For instance, he clarifies that 'setting up bills' was a broad method of public advertisement used by everything from theater companies to mountebanks, rather than being limited to challenges or prize-fightings. A significant portion of the book is dedicated to critiquing earlier editors and illustrators. Douce corrects errors found in previous editions by providing evidence from contemporary sources like Dekker and Nashe. He defends Shakespeare against misinterpretations, such as the degradation of Imogen in *Cymbeline* by a female illustrator who failed to understand ancient manners. Furthermore, Douce explores the sources of Shakespeare's plots, noting the influence of Boccaccio's *Decameron* and other romances, while also addressing the debate over the origin of the 'Hundred Merry Tales' referenced in *Much Ado About Nothing*. Through these analyses, Douce highlights the interplay between literature, history, and popular culture. He reconstructs the world of Shakespeare's time, explaining the education of princesses in ancient romances, the superstitions surrounding birds like the lark and the redbreast, and the fashion trends of the era. By correcting anachronisms and clarifying archaic phrases, Douce provides a deeper understanding of the texts, ensuring that readers appreciate the full richness of Shakespeare's art within its original context.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/50228.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg50228.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-08 12:12 UTC

Categories

• Classics
• Drama
• History
• Literature