Stratford Heritage Guide

led by Katie Knowles

The presentation of Shakespeare’s legacy has evolved over the centuries, and narratives regarding the greatness of the playwright have been curated in very specific and intentional ways to cement him as an English cultural icon. Although Shakespeare wrote all his plays in London, his hometown of Stratford-upon-Avon has grown to become more closely associated with the playwright through these constructed histories. However, this gravitation toward the playwright’s childhood home and grave site did not become popular until the 19th century. By analyzing guidebooks from this period, I aim to demonstrate how public understanding of the various monuments in Stratford has evolved and analyze how the information provided in these guidebooks has been continually reinvented over time. Ultimately, this project demonstrates the subjective nature of Stratford’s relationship with Shakespeare and explores how narratives about that town that are presented to visitors as completely objective have attempted to influence visitors’ perspectives in this space.

This Project Highlight was originally created for the DH@MSU Undergraduate Newsletter and was featured in the April 15, 2024 issue. Subscribe to the Newsletter here.