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Cover of Shakespeare's treatment of love & marriage, and other essays

Shakespeare's treatment of love & marriage, and other essays

Written by C. H. (Charles Harold) Herford

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PoetryShakespeare, William, 1564-1616Keats, John, 1795-1821Lucretius Carus, TitusD'Annunzio, Gabriele, 1863-1938Love in literature

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About this book

"Shakespeare's Treatment of Love & Marriage, and Other Essays" by C. H. Herford is a collection of literary essays written in the early 20th century. The book examines Shakespeare's portrayal of love and marriage as a central theme in his works, delving into how his characters reflect ideals of romantic relationships. The text seeks to explore the complexities and nuances of love in Shakespeare's comedies and tragedies while also discussing the influence of various factors on poetic creation. The opening portion introduces the reader to the overarching themes of love and marriage in Shakespeare's plays. Herford emphasizes that Shakespeare displays a preference for "normal" love relationships characterized by a balance of passion, intellect, and morality. He argues that Shakespeare's ideal form of love is one that naturally leads to marriage, contrasting this view with other types of love that can have tragic or comic implications. The essay sets the stage for a deeper exploration of Shakespeare’s characters and their relationships, highlighting the joyful and healthy aspects of love, while hinting at the dramas that arise from misunderstandings and external conflicts that challenge these ideals.

Reading guide

Themes, characters and key ideas in Shakespeare's treatment of love & marriage, and other essays, written by Chaptra AI.

  • about 8 hours
  • advanced
  • scholarly
  • analytical
  • academic

C. H. Herford's "Shakespeare's Treatment of Love & Marriage, and Other Essays" is a foundational work of early 20th-century literary criticism, specifically examining the nuanced portrayal of romantic relationships in Shakespeare's plays. Herford posits that Shakespeare consistently favors a 'normal' and balanced form of love, characterized by a harmonious blend of passion, intellect, and morality, which naturally culminates in marriage. The collection explores how these ideals are presented across Shakespearean comedies and tragedies, contrasting them with other forms of love that lead to dramatic or tragic consequences. Beyond the central theme, the essays also delve into the broader influences on poetic creation, offering a comprehensive look at the playwright's thematic concerns and artistic methods.

“Shakespeare's ideal form of love is one that naturally leads to marriage, characterized by a balance of passion, intellect, and morality.”

Key themes

Ideal Love Leading to Marriage
This is the central theme, arguing that Shakespeare consistently portrays an ideal form of love characterized by equilibrium between emotion, reason, and moral integrity, which naturally culminates in the institution of marriage. Herford explores how this ideal is presented as the most stable and fulfilling form of romantic relationship.
The Nuances of Romantic Relationships
Beyond the ideal, Herford delves into the spectrum of romantic relationships in Shakespeare, acknowledging their complexities, challenges, and varied outcomes. This theme explores how love can be passionate, intellectual, moral, or a combination, and how these different facets contribute to the dramatic arc of Shakespeare's plays.
Influence on Poetic Creation
This theme, likely explored in the 'other essays,' examines the various factors that shape a poet's creative output. It moves beyond specific thematic analysis to consider the broader context of artistic inspiration, historical influences, philosophical underpinnings, and the playwright's personal worldview that inform Shakespeare's works.

Worth discussing

How does Herford's definition of 'normal' love and its connection to marriage reflect the societal values of his time (early 20th century)?

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