True Tragedy as a reported text Henry VI, Part 3

josiah boydell illustration of father , son tragedy act 2, scene 5, engraved john ogborne shakspeare gallery pall mall (1794)

over years, critics have debated connection between true tragedy , 3 henry vi. 4 main theories have emerged:

critical opinion favoured samuel johnson s theory true tragedy bad quarto, memorial reconstruction. edmond malone challenged johnson s theory in 1790, suggesting true tragedy draft of shakespeare s 3 henry vi. malone s view dominant 1 until 1929, when peter alexander re-established dominance of bad quarto theory.

one of alexander s main arguments hinged on start of act 4, scene 1, richard , clarence reproach edward favouring wife s relatives on themselves. in true tragedy, after edward has been informed of warwick s allegiance lancastrians, upbraided brothers recent actions;

clarence

...lord hastings deserves,

to have daughter , heir of lord hungerford.



edward

and then? our should so.



clarence

ay, , such thing lord scales

did deserve @ hands, have the

daughter of lord bonfield, , left your

brothers go seek elsewhere.

(ll.2074-2083)

this implies lord hastings set marry daughter of lord hungerford, , lord scales set marry daughter of lord bonfield. in 3 henry vi, however, lines different;

clarence

...lord hastings deserves

to have heir of lord hungerford.



edward

what of that? , grant,

and once, shall stand law.



richard

and yet methinks grace hath not done well

to give heir , daughter of lord scales

unto brother of loving bride;

she better have fitted me, or clarence,

but in bride bury brotherhood.



clarence

or else, not have bestowed heir,

of lord bonville on new wife s son,

and leave brothers go speed elsewhere.

(4.1.48-59)

this explains lord scales daughter (elizabeth de scales) marry lady grey s brother (anthony woodville, 2nd earl of rivers), , lady grey s son (thomas grey, 1st marquess of dorset) marry daughter of lord bonville (cecily bonville). such, based on inconsistency between scales marrying bonfield s daughter in true tragedy , scales daughter marrying grey s brother in 3 henry vi, alexander argued representation of scene in true tragedy nonsensical , came because reporter became confused married whom. furthermore, unlike account in true tragedy, version in 3 henry vi corresponds closely chronicle material found in hall ( heir of lord scales [edward] hath married wife s brother, heir of lord bonville , harrington hath given wife s son, , heir of lord hungerford hath granted lord hastings ). in relation mistakes this, has been argued no 1 understood writing, – no author – have made such error[s], parroting else s work of himself had dim understanding – is, reporter – have.

title page of 1594 quarto of lamentable romaine tragedie of titus andronicus

however, more telling difference between details of proposed marriages contrast between 2 names; bonfield in true tragedy , bonville in 3 henry vi. bonfield never mentioned in chronicles, , there no known historical personage of name. bonville on other hand mentioned numerous times both hall , holinshed, , known historical figure. however, there minor character named bonfield in robert greene play george greene, pinner of wakefield (1587–1590), member of group of staunch opponents of edward iii. george greene published in quarto in 1599, , title page states performed sussex s men. in 1594, sussex s men had performed titus andronicus, which, according title page of 1594 quarto, performed strange s men (i.e. derby s men) , pembroke s men. furthermore, according title page of 1595 octavo of true tragedy, performed pembroke s men. such, pembroke s men performed both true tragedy , titus andronicus, whereas sussex s men performed both george greene , titus andronicus, creating link between true tragedy , george greene, , perhaps suggesting either sussex s men have performed true tragedy or pembroke s men have performed george greene, or both. taken together, name of bonfield in 2 historically unrelated texts performed companies shared scripts , personnel indicates name non-authorial interpolation players. case further supported fact reported texts use material other plays. example, contention uses material christopher marlowe s tragical history of doctor faustus (c1592), edward ii (c1593) , line 3 henry vi; if our king henry had shook hands death (1.4.103).

more evidence of reporting found in act 2 scene 5. in scene, in true tragedy, after realising battle of towton lost, exeter, margaret , prince edward urge henry flee, exeter exclaiming, away lord vengeance comes along him (l.1270). however, totally unqualified – there no indication whatsoever of is. in 3 henry vi, however, line away; vengeance comes along them (l.124). in case, them warwick, richard , edward, of whom mentioned prince edward , margaret in lines preceding exeter s. such, line in true tragedy can understood if 1 refers equivalent scene in 3 henry vi. type of anomaly, vital pieces of qualifying information omitted, common in bad quartos.

a similar piece of evidence found in act 5, scene 1. after warwick , troops have entered coventry , awaiting arrival of oxford, somerset, montague , clarence, richard urges edward storm city , attack warwick immediately. in true tragedy, edward refuses, arguing no, other may set upon our backs/we ll stay till entered , follow them (ll.2742–2743). in 3 henry vi however, edward says, other foes may set upon our backs./stand in array: no doubt/will issue out again, , bid battle (ll.61–63). difference between 2 passages in true tragedy, edward knows more regiments coming ( ll stay till entered ), in context of play, has no way of knowing this, should unaware oxford, somerset, montague , clarence heading coventry. in 3 henry vi however, merely feels attacking bad idea leave rear defenceless ( other foes may set upon our backs ). suggests in true tragedy, reporter thinking ahead, anticipating arrival of others , anachronistically having character aware of inevitable arrival. again, omission of important information, illogical foreknowledge of events type of mistake characterises bad quartos in general.