HISTORICAL APPROACH

            Historical approach, one of the five approaches advocated by Wilber Scott, is different from formalistic approach propounded by modern critics like I. A. Richards, F. R. Leavis, T. S. Eliot, etc., whereas formalistic criticism, otherwise known as ontological criticism or textual criticism or new criticism or moral criticism or aesthetic criticism or structural criticism insist on the text of an author, historical criticism makes the critic, trace out the age in which the work of art was written. These critics who focus on historical approach firmly believe that, a text of an author cannot be criticized sans people of the age with whom the author was living. Text and the age therefore remain inseparable.

            Daine, a French critic who belongs to 19^th century is one of the great exponents of historical approach. The plays of Shakespeare, if criticized devoid of the age in which the playwright was living may seem to be irrelevant to the readers of modern times. They are prone to give real sense if analysed in the light of historical approach. The plots of most of the historical plays of Shakespeare, it is true are borrowed from North’s translation, Plutarch’s Lives. Although these plays are spiced with the imagination of the playwright. Shakespeare has not completely deviated from history. Some of the minor characters are fictitious, the major character of theses historical plays remain unchanged. Shakespeare is, it is true the great playwright of Elizabethan age. For, the tragic vision of Shakespeare is totally different from that of other playwright of his time. It is the “tragic flaw” as A. C. Bradley rightly point out, which causes the fall of the hero. The tragedies of Shakespeare are therefore based on Human psychology. But, some of the plays of Shakespeare, to the great shock of modern readers, abound with vulgar jokes, obscene scenes, gaudy jokes, gory death, bloodsheds, suicides, murders, strange animals, ghosts, spirits and witches, etc,. The formalistic critic who analyses only the text of the author made find fault with Shakespeare the playwright. It is historical approach helps a reader or a critic to understand these plays in right perspective.

            While the rich and aristocratic audience where allowed to watch the play, the poor and illiterate people were provided no seats at all. They were forced to stand and watch the play. But they were the majority of the audience and these people only wanted to see scenes of battlefield, murder, suicide, spirits and ghosts, vulgar jokes and strange animals. Shakespeare the playwright was therefore forced to satisfy these audience by including such cheap and obscene scene which actually helps a reader to have a better understanding of the work of art.

            The Elizabethan age, it is true was very much influenced by both “Renaissance” and “Reformation”. Although, Henry VIII father of Queen Elizabeth favoured the Anglican church opposing Roman Catholism nor Puritanism. But the puritans were humiliated by the majority of the English. This can be seen in the works of Shakespeare.

            The Elizabethan age is known for sea voyagers and adventures also. Great mariners like Raleigh made colonies in different parts of the world. The natives of such colonies were mercilessly exploited by the Europeans. Shakespeare’s Caliban in the play Tempest represents a native of these colonies. Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Coriolanus, the great Roman plays of Shakespeare cannot be judged without historical approach. The valour of Julius Caesar, the betrayal of Brutus, the passion of Antony and bewitchment of Cleopatra are clearly portrayed in his plays, strictly adhering to historical facts.

            The novels of Charles Dickens, if criticized in the absence of historical approach may not be applicable to modern days. It must therefore be criticized in the light of Victorian age. The work houses and public schools were notorious for ill-treating the inmates. The main characters Oliver Twist and Nicholas Nickleby are subject to such ill-treatment in the novels of Charles Dickens.

            Although  autobiographical, these novels of Dickens brings to light the sufferings of innumerable poor children at that time. Walter Scott’s novels can also be criticized with the help of historical approach. For instance, The Heart of Midlothian a famous novel of Scott may be analysed applying the tool of historical approach. The plot of the novel is based on the historical events which happened at the prison called Heart of Midlothian, in Edinburg, Scotland in the 1736. Porteous, the guard of the prison was responsible for the death of many innocent civilians who has gathered at the gate of the prison objecting the hanging of Wilson, a robber.

As Porteous caused the death of many civilians, he was also sentenced to death. But, later it was reprieved. Robertson one of the associate of Wilson forcibly hanged Porteus before the people. This incident which is true forms the main plots of the novel. The characters like Wilson, Robertson, Porteus like Queen Carolin are not fictitious. They are historical characters. But Scott has chosen to add some fictitious character also like Effe, Jeanaei, Whislet, etc., The novelist has thereby made the novel a “Historical Romance”. He has evenly mined reason with emotion, fact with fiction, history with romance. Although the historical event happened prior to the age of Caroline, the readers feel that it happens only during the time of novelist. Although, Scott does not give much importance to the plot construction which is loosely drawn, it is the historical characters and events which make the novel interesting one. When analysed in the light of historical approach bring to the readers a new dimension about the era and the real life of people of bygone years.