All A03 notes Flashcards
Context
Orton’s sexuality (Theme of religion)
Orton was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was still illegal.
He would’ve been disillusioned with the values of religious observance and the authority of organised religions such as the Catholic Church.
Censorship (religion)
Faced significant censorship when first aired in 1965 - irreverent treatment of religion, death, and the taboo was shocking, but this was Orton’s intention nonetheless.
It shows a growing culture, as it was aired again a year later with much less criticism and more critical acclaim.
This is reflective of the rise of secularisation and the counterculture movement, many people saw religious institutions and their teachings as hypocritical and outdated.
Modern day context/audience (religion)
Many of Orton’s views remain true today. They would be likely to be acknowledged by a more secular and less traditional society, with the Catholic Church being rife with cases of sexual abuse.
Gloriana’s skull (religion, mockery, pessimism, morality, comedy and violence)
Vindice speaking to Gloriana’s skull could reference Hamlet and Memento mori.
Hamlet picks up the skull of Yorick and at the sight of Yorick, reminisces about the man who played a role in his upbringing.
Hypocrisy of Fay condemning Hal’s homosexuality (mockery)
Orton himself was gay and felt that the reason for his harsh prison sentence in 1962 was due to his sexuality.
Loot was written in the 1960s around the same time that the Free Love movement and counterculture emerged in the UK and Western culture.
Orton’s criticisms of institutions (satire and comedy)
In 1962, Orton and Halliwell were arrested for defacing library books. They were fined £2 and sentenced to six months in prison. The couple believed they were harshly convicted due to their sexuality.
Vindice’s final speech (comedy and pessimism)
Vindice alludes to Ecclesiastes 3:2 in his final speech when he says, ‘Tis time to die’.
He ultimately accepts his fate as the doomed Avenger. His name even translates to “avenger” in Italian, reinforcing the idea that he is defined by this single purpose. As if it is ‘scripture’ for him to seek vindication.
Profumo Scandal (pessimism)
John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War, had an extramarital affair with a 19-year-old model, Christine Keeler beginning in 1961. She had also allegedly dated a KGB officer, leading to a security breach.
This led to the downfall of Macmillan’s Conservative government in 1963
Criticism of Institutions (pessimism)
Modern audiences may applaud Orton’s criticism of authority and the police force, as many of his views remain true today, such as the death of George Floyd or the murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993.
Gratiana’s behaviour (morality)
Gratiana represents the prevalent misogynistic view of women at the time in Jacobean England and religious ideas that view women as inherently sinful and willing to act immorally if prone to temptation.
Misogyny (women as seductresses and temptresses, appetite and crime)
Middleton presents the prevalent attitudes of misogyny, which were very much present in James I’s court as well as in contemporary society.
Overbury Scandal (appetite)
Overbury Scandal in 1613 - Sir Thomas Overbury, a mid-level courtier, was poisoned in the Tower of London by King James’ favourite, Robert Carr, so Carr could have an affair with the Countess of Essex, marrying her with the help of the King, an affair which Overbury vehemently disapproved of.
Once the affair was uncovered, the Earl of Somerset as well as the Countess were arrested and later pardoned.
Censorship Part 2 (religion)
Loot’s success after its initial criticism was proven on 11 January 1967 when it won the Evening Standard Award for best play.
Gunpowder Plot
Even under a ‘divine’ monarch, the plotters distrusted and were disillusioned with the government. In the same way, the court in TRT shows figures of authority as untrustworthy, lecherous, and power-hungry.
Vindice is compelled to seek justice in his own hands like the plotters. Middleton, writing in the immediate aftermath of the plot, channels the political anxiety and intense political anxiety at the time, creating a dark parallel.
