Humanities and Arts
Memory Traces in The Reign of King Edward III
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Jonathan Baldo
Jonathan Baldo
Department of Humanities, Eastman School of Music, University of Rochester, 26 Gibbs Street,
Abstract
Indirectly addressing the authorship question in the anonymous The Reign of King Edward III, this paper focuses on a signature of Shakespeare’s treatment of English history, a concern with the political implications of remembering and forgetting. Multiple ironies attend the unstable relation of remembering and forgetting in the play. The opening of Edward III gives the impression that England’s forgetful enemies, Scotland and France, require schooling by a nation that appears to own memory. However, initial appearances prove to be deceiving, as three early Shakespearean scenes prominently feature lapses of English memory, causing the early alignment of England with faithful memory to slip away. There are traces of a distinctly Shakespearean approach to history—one that interrogates the mixed effects of historical memory itself and the values commonly assigned to remembering and forgetting—in The Reign of King Edward III. A consideration of the scenes that share the practice of Shakespeare’s histories—of not simply reviving the past but also reflecting on the motivations and conflicts associated with recollection—accords well with previous attributions of those scenes to Shakespeare on stylistic grounds.
Key Questions
What is the main focus of this paper?
The paper examines the themes of remembering and forgetting in the anonymous play *The Reign of King Edward III*, exploring how these themes reflect a distinctly Shakespearean approach to history. It argues that the play interrogates the political implications and mixed effects of historical memory.
How does the play *The Reign of King Edward III* address memory and forgetting?
The play initially portrays England as a nation that owns memory, contrasting it with forgetful enemies like Scotland and France. However, this alignment slips as the play reveals lapses of English memory, complicating the values assigned to remembering and forgetting.
What is the significance of memory in Shakespeare’s treatment of history?
Shakespeare’s histories often reflect on the motivations and conflicts associated with recollection, rather than simply reviving the past. This approach highlights the political and ethical complexities of historical memory, a signature theme in his works.
How does the paper connect *Edward III* to Shakespeare’s authorship?
The paper identifies scenes in *Edward III* that exhibit a Shakespearean concern with the mixed effects of historical memory. These scenes align with Shakespeare’s stylistic practices and thematic preoccupations, supporting previous attributions of authorship.
What are the ironies in the play’s treatment of memory?
The play features multiple ironies, such as England’s initial claim to faithful memory being undermined by its own lapses. This instability challenges simplistic alignments of memory with virtue and forgetting with vice.
How does the paper contribute to the authorship debate of *Edward III*?
By focusing on the thematic and stylistic similarities between *Edward III* and Shakespeare’s known works, the paper provides indirect evidence supporting Shakespeare’s involvement in the play’s authorship.
What is the political significance of memory in the play?
Memory in *Edward III* is politically significant, as it shapes national identity and legitimacy. The play explores how remembering and forgetting can both empower and destabilize political authority.
How does the play reflect on the values of remembering and forgetting?
The play complicates the traditional values assigned to remembering (as virtuous) and forgetting (as negligent). It shows that both can have mixed effects, depending on the context and motivations behind them.
What is the broader significance of this study for Shakespearean scholarship?
The study contributes to understanding Shakespeare’s thematic preoccupations and stylistic practices, particularly his nuanced treatment of history and memory. It also adds to the ongoing debate about the authorship of *Edward III*.
How does the paper align with previous attributions of *Edward III* to Shakespeare?
The paper aligns with previous attributions by highlighting scenes in *Edward III* that reflect Shakespeare’s characteristic themes and stylistic techniques, such as the interrogation of historical memory and its political implications.
