Game of Thrones Stage Play Acknowledges Shakespearean Influence

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is staging "Game of Thrones: The Mad King," a production that prompts discussions about its alleged "Shakespearean" qualities. The author, a recent viewer of the "Game of Thrones" television series, notes that while the series is often described as Shakespearean, this comparison primarily stems from its extensive casting of actors with Shakespearean backgrounds and its exploration of dynastic disputes. The article highlights the presence of numerous actors who have previously portrayed iconic Shakespearean roles, including four actors who have played King Lear (Julian Glover, David Bradley, Oliver Ford-Davies, and Roger Allam), Sean Bean as Macbeth, Iain Glen as Hamlet and Henry V, and Michelle Fairley as Cassius. This casting strategy, combined with the RSC's involvement and Dominic Cooke's direction, which previously helmed "The Hollow Crown" for television, is expected to fuel arguments about the play's Shakespearean connections.

Despite frequent nods to Shakespearean tropes and character archetypes, the author contends that these influences lack the depth and resonance of the original works. For instance, the initial appearance of Michael Shaeffer as King Aerys, depicted with a white beard, a leafy crown, and barefoot, is presented as a near-explicit evocation of King Lear on the heath. However, the article contrasts this with Lear's gradual descent into madness and eventual emergence from it, arguing that Aerys is portrayed as a consistently "dotty despot" from beginning to end. Similarly, the use of tournaments to resolve dynastic conflicts is likened to the opening of "Richard II." In Shakespeare's play, this event is aborted and leads to the king's downfall, whereas in "The Mad King," the imagery of jousting combatants is repeatedly shown without the same narrative consequence.

The article suggests that the perceived Shakespearean nature of "Game of Thrones: The Mad King" may serve as a justification for its escapist narrative and its focus on violence and political intrigue. While the rivalry between the Stark and Lannister families might echo certain Shakespearean conflicts, the author posits that the primary connection lies in the casting choices and thematic parallels that, upon closer examination, appear superficial. The RSC's production, by bringing these elements to the stage, invites a re-evaluation of how "Game of Thrones" draws from and deviates from its Shakespearean inspirations. The play's staging at Stratford by the RSC, a company renowned for its Shakespearean productions, further amplifies this comparison, placing the "Game of Thrones" narrative within a context traditionally associated with the Bard's dramatic legacy. The author's critique implies that while the surface-level allusions are present, the profound dramatic and psychological complexity characteristic of Shakespeare's plays is not fully replicated.