Shakespeare at War

Disappointing exhibition at the National Army Museum looking at Shakespeare and war.

I say disappointing because, although the narrative was set out clearly, the vast majority of items on the show were reproductions and photographs of works.

The show looked not only at how Shakespeare wrote about war but how it has been used in times of conflict from the English Civil War to contemporary readings. I was fascinated to read that Charles I had a copy of the folio which he was reading as he waited trial which he annotated.

The Napoleonic wars were mainly represented by satirical prints often using Shakespearean quotes and the First World War section included a copy of the complete works which were given to wounded and sick soldiers.

It was an interesting idea to add contemporary productions which included a video of the National Theatre Othello which had had a military adviser who had been head of the armed forces in Iraq.

Closed 1 September 2024

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