A distrust of tradition: the study, performance and reception of Shakespeare in England in a context of social, political and technological change, 1919-1939

This thesis proposes that Shakespeare’s cultural authority was established in England by the end of the nineteenth century, but was challenged between the two World Wars of the twentieth century by the changing cultural, social and political circumstances generated by new artistic and cultural movements, and by an unstable post-war political and social environment. It is argued that the study, performance and reception of Shakespeare was affected by changes in critical approaches to his works, attitudes to performance on stage, and varying approaches of the new media of talking pictures and radio. The thesis puts Shakespeare into the context of a changing society by examining the political and social circumstances and the artistic and cultural influences which obtained during the period. There follows an examination of the attitudes and deliberations of the emerging factions which were to dominate this twenty-year period of Shakespeare criticism. Acknowledging other actions and influences, a study is made of the growing importance of the study of English and the effects of this upon the reception and consumption of Shakespeare. Shakespeare in performance on stage, on the radio and on film is examined in the light of the foregoing, and threats and opportunities are evaluate