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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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| Shakespeare on old age and disability | | Author(s) | Herbert Covey |
| Journal title | International Journal of Aging and Human Development, vol 50, no 3, 2000 |
| Pages | pp 169-184 |
| Keywords | Ageing process ; Physical disabilities ; Mental disorder ; Drama ; Attitudes to the old of general public. |
| Annotation | References in Shakespeare's plays to older characters with disabilities and to ageing draw on traditional cultural notions. For example, those with physical disabilities are evil, those who are mentally ill are wild and animal-like, and disability has entertainment value. Shakespeare viewed the ageing process as disabling, and old age as a time when individuals lost some abilities to function, particularly when it came to mental capacity and physical mobility. His writings show that he used disability as a literary tool to add dimension to characters and to set them apart. Contemporary literature continues to share some of Shakespeare's views on disability and ageing, but with some differences: there is more emphasis on the human side and less negative attitudes. (RH). |
| Accession Number | CPA-001019209 A |
| Classmark | BG: BN: E: HKD: TOB |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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