Henry 6th part 1: ‘My Thoughts Are Whirled Like a Potter's Wheel’

Episode 125:
A detailed look at the first Shakespearean history play 'Henry 6th part 1'
The problems with dating 1 Henry VI
How much of the play did Shakespeare write?
The relationship of the play to parts 2 and 3
The sources of the play
A brief summary of the play
The play in relation to other history plays of the time
Criticism of the battle scenes
The theme of the loss of the English Empire and the end of chivalry
The portrayal of Joan and the French
The portrayal of the English aristocracy
Problems with the structure of the play
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[@Northcountry1926]

Damn, this is Brilliant ! Thank you Sir 🫡

[@thehistoryofeuropeantheatr3204]

Thanks You - glad you are enjoying the podcast

[@pjreads]

I like that the director, cast and setting were the same for the BBC version of Richard III and the three Henry VI plays.

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

They kept the same actors which was a tremendous help. Ron Cook who played Richard the third was particularly brilliant. He also played in the movie "Will Shakespeare" with Tim Curry in the leading role. These are the highlights of his career I think.

[@thehistoryofeuropeantheatr3204]

Yes it was a good plan that worked well. Trevor Peacock (Talbot and Jack Cade) also takes on Titus Andronicus in the same series

[@Richardwestwood-dp5wr]

@thehistoryofeuropeantheatr3204 l love Trevor Peacock, he did an excellent job as Titus Andronicus. He also played the Fool in Twelfth Night, his singing was unparalleled, I always go back to that play just to hear him sing; the character of the pimp le played in Pericles is memorable.

[@mishalee8083]

This was very interesting! To your point about collaboration, I'm not sure how much is Shakespeare or Nashe or Marlowe (although I've read that some scholars believe The True Tragedy was originally a collaboration between Marlowe and Peele), but if you read Joan of Arc's last speech again [the one where she claims not to be from the stock of shepherd swains] and compare it to Tamburlaine's speeches and how people speak about him throughout Tamburlaine Parts I and II, you can see that Marlowe at least wrote the Joan of Arc scenes. She's a traditional Marlovian overreacher and given her deal with devils, heralds his Dr Faustus as well. - I also liked your analysis that Talbot was a proto-Hotspur as well, and the last person holding to the old code of chivalry. There are quite a few layers to this play!

[@thehistoryofeuropeantheatr3204]

On reflection I think I should have said more about Marlowe's potential involvement - That final scene before Joan is carted off is certainly a good pointer toward's it as a possability. Thanks for your input.