By definition, the Fourth of July holiday evokes reflections on patriotism. And though this is admittedly the date that we celebrate America’s independence from colonial rule, we at Shakespeare For Our Children could not help but think of Shakespeare’s expressions of love for his own country.
In a famous speech from Richard II, one of Shakespeare’s history plays, the character John of Gaunt describes England as:
“This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle | […] This precious stone set in the silver sea | […] This land of such dear souls, this dear dear land.” (Listen above!)
In the context of the play (Act 2, Scene 1), John is on his deathbed and pondering the fate of his beloved country; taken independently, however, the monologue magnificently articulates one patriot’s devotion to their native land. As Marchette Chute writes in her classic work An Introduction to Shakespeare, “Shakespeare loved England, and this is one of the reasons why England has always so deeply loved Shakespeare.”
It may seem a bit unexpected to examine this moving speech about England at a time when we commemorate our independence from that country! But Shakespeare’s words nonetheless invite each of us to consider the beauty and complexity of our own national identity.
— Janice Salzberg ©2022