Talbot's Death as Passion Play in Shakespeare's <i>1 Henry VI</i>

Authors

  • John A. Warrick University of Southern Mississippi

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12745/et.19.1.2607

Keywords:

Shakespeare, 1 Henry VI, English history play, passion play, harrowing of hell, saint play

Abstract

This article examines the death of John Talbot in Shakespeare’s 1 Henry VI against late medieval passion plays. It argues that Shakespeare adapted common features of medieval pageants, and particularly those representing Christ’s crucifixion, harrowing of hell, and resurrection, to enhance the tragic impact of his secular history play. Finally, it theorizes Talbot’s secular martyrdom in relation to developments unique to the reformation of saintly devotion and the imitatio Christi in Elizabethan England.

Author Biography

John A. Warrick, University of Southern Mississippi

John A. Warrick (john.warrick@usm.edu) is chair and associate professor of theatre history in the department of Theatre at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he also serves as managing director for the Southern Arena Theatre. 

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Published

2016-06-10

Issue

Vol. 19 No. 1 (2016)

Section

Articles

License

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