Did William Shakespeare Revisit His Plays? Uncovering the Evidence
Did William Shakespeare Revisit His Plays? Uncovering the Evidence
The question of whether William Shakespeare revised his plays has long fascinated scholars and enthusiasts alike. While definitive evidence is scarce, several clues point to the likelihood that Shakespeare made revisions to at least some of his works. This article delves into the evidence from Hamlet and other plays, exploring whether Shakespeare indeed revised his scripts.
Hamlet: A Case of Rewriting?
The evidence from the second quarto and First Folio texts of Hamlet strongly suggests that Shakespeare revisited and altered his masterpiece. The differences between these texts indicate that Shakespeare refined and possibly embellished his original draft. However, comprehensive evidence is still limited. Other plays by Shakespeare might also have undergone similar revisions, though concrete proof remains elusive.
The Collaborative End of Shakespeare's Career
At the end of his life, Shakespeare collaborated on a few plays, notably Henry VIII, The Two Noble Kinsmen, and the lost play Cardenio. It is likely that these were "desk-drawer" plays, meaning they were not completed to his satisfaction. In the case of Henry VIII, the last scene is a masterpiece, attributed to Shakespeare, but the final lines celebrate Queen Elizabeth. Given that rumors suggest that Elizabeth banned histories based on English royalty, it is plausible that this praise was added to ensure the play would receive royal approval. The quality of The Two Noble Kinsmen and Cardenio is mediocre, and they are rarely staged today, further supporting the idea that Shakespeare did not bring them to completion.
The Second Act of Measure for Measure
The second act of Measure for Measure is another intriguing example. The first half of the play is considered brilliant, while the second half is often described as dire. The Halma (Act 4, Scene 3) is so poor in quality that it is sometimes left out in productions of the play. It is possible that an uncredited writer, possibly influenced by the plague, finished the second act. Alternatively, Shakespeare himself might have been suffering from the plague while writing this section. Some productions cut the entire fourth act, but its removal is hardly noticeable.
Unfinished Plays and Creative Process
The concept of an unfinished play adds another layer to the discussion. Typically, a play is considered unfinished if it was never performed due to the playwright not finishing the script. However, many of Shakespeare's plays could be considered unfinished in a broader sense. Shakespeare often stopped writing when it was time for the play to be performed, rather than perfecting it. For example, Hamlet is rife with problems, and the original text was lost. We are left with lengthy debates over the authenticity and integrity of the current version.
Conclusion
The evidence from various plays suggests that William Shakespeare indeed revisited and revised his works. Whether he did so for refinement, to match the evolving nature of his plays, or for pragmatic reasons related to performance, the nuances of his creative process continue to intrigue scholars and readers. Shakespeare's plays, including Hamlet and others, remain a testament to his enduring genius and the dynamic nature of his work.