Shakespeare’s French Connection: How the History, Literature and Culture of France Permeate the Plays

Shakespeare most often locates his plays in Italy and England, and his third most frequent setting is France. Indeed, nearly 70 scenes at a conservative count, and perhaps as many as 100, take place in France in a variety of significant geographical locations. French is also the foreign language Shakespeare uses most; he is sufficiently au fait with French to use it for puns and scatological jokes. He weaves in comments on French fashion, ways of walking, and skills in horsemanship, sword-playing and dancing. Not only does Shakespeare draw directly or indirectly upon French chroniclers but he also presents us with parts of French history. Many French characters people his stage; sometimes historical figures appear as themselves, and sometimes they are alluded to. And the plays demonstrate Shakespeare’s reading in French literature and how that influenced him.

This work shows us just how widely that French presence is evident in his plays. Other books and articles may focus on Shakespeare’s familiarity with Italy, the bible, law, medicine, or astronomy, for example. This book adds to those, shining another spotlight on Shakespeare’s remarkable knowledge and eclectic reading, confirming him yet again as a truly extraordinary Renaissance figure.

Margrethe Jolly, a lecturer in English literature and language, has been researching the quartos at Brunel University, England.