"Putting Down Kings and Princes: Class Warfare in Shakespeare and the 1500s"

"Putting Down Kings and Princes: Class Warfare in Shakespeare and the 1500s"
with Dominic Galani

Summary
Shakespeare and the violence of class warfare might seem like they have nothing to do with each other. In Shakespeare's plays people swap genders or turn into animals, but only very rarely do they rise above their rank. All in all, with his focus on monarchs and aristocrats, Shakespeare can seem like a pretty conservative writer, and the century which he was born into, the 1500s, can seem equally lacking in any kind of revolutionary energy.

However, a closer look at Shakespeare's early work and the world around him will reveal a powder keg of political anger waiting to explode. Poverty and famine were rife, the people were pissed and so was Shakespeare. Some of his earliest works (a series of plays about the Wars of the Roses) give us a taste of this class anger. This talk explores those plays and this period in all their bloody horror and glory.

This talk uses Shakespeare's early work as a window into one of the most radically charged moments in English history — the birth of capitalism, the breakdown of the feudal order, and a series of rebellions that nearly tore the country apart.

No specialist knowledge needed. If you know who Shakespeare is and you've got an opinion on whether the class system is a good idea, you're ready.


Bio
Dominic Gilani is a PhD researcher and Graduate Teaching Assistant at University of Bristol working on the early history plays of Shakespeare, focusing on class dynamics. His attention to 'class' extends beyond his research into his work as a Postgraduate Researcher Representative for the University and Colleges Union (UCU) and a delegate of the Bristol Trades Union Council.


Venue:
Loko Club
Clock Tower Yd
Bristol
BS1 6QH


Event Running Time:
Doors 12pm
Introduction: 12:25pm
Lecture: 12:30pm
Q&A: 1:15pm
Mix & mingle with other attendees 1:25pm
Wrap up 1:45pm

Food:
If you plan on eating at the venue, we recommend arriving as early as possible so the kitchen can get your order out before the talk starts.

FAQ

What is Pints of Knowledge?

Pints of Knowledge is a series of public talks where experts, researchers, and big thinkers share fascinating ideas all in the relaxed setting of a pub. We bring brilliant minds and curious audiences together over a pint, covering topics from science and politics to history, art, and beyond.

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At each Pints of Knowledge event, you’ll hear engaging talks (about 40 minutes) from expert speakers on fascinating topics — followed by audience Q&A. The vibe is informal and social, set in a pub where you can grab a drink, meet interesting people, and enjoy big ideas in a relaxed setting.

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