Shakespeare’s Clarence

This article argues that Shakespeare’s George of Clarence is a war veteran traumatised by his wartime experience, and that he can be regarded as a prototype of the modern shell-shocked soldier. Seizing on Jonathan Shay’s study on war trauma, it explores how Clarence becomes traumatised through a trajectory of degradation of personality due to his commander’s breach of themis in 3Henry VI. Edward’s breach of honour triggers the destabilisation of Clarence’s character, which, the article argues, suffers a traumatic breakdown in consequence of the murdering of Prince Edward. Turning to Richard III, the article explores how Clarence is haunted by his war trauma by examining Clarence’s insulation in the Tower of London, which powerfully symbolises the medieval veteran’s postwar dilemma. The repetition of war trauma is further borne out by Clarence’s nightmare, which, the article suggests, is not unlike the compulsive dream that occurs to the Freudian veteran after the Great War.