{"id":746,"date":"2017-01-09T16:30:57","date_gmt":"2017-01-09T21:30:57","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/libapps.libraries.uc.edu\/exhibits\/shakespeare400\/?p=746"},"modified":"2017-07-26T14:37:27","modified_gmt":"2017-07-26T18:37:27","slug":"costuming-a-king","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/libapps.libraries.uc.edu\/exhibits\/shakespeare400\/2017\/01\/09\/costuming-a-king\/","title":{"rendered":"Costuming a King"},"content":{"rendered":"

By: Sydney Vollmer, ARB Intern<\/em><\/p>\n

Since the beginning of theater, costumes have played a crucial role to the understanding and enjoyment of the stories. \u00a0Over time, they have developed both in design and technique. \u00a0It was the Greeks who first invented costumes, using them to differentiate between characters of different class. \u00a0They were often ornate, with patterns and masks.\u00a0 \u00a0Romans continued the tradition of costuming, but no major changes were made for hundreds of years. \u00a0By the time Shakespeare came about, costuming had evolved so that actors would don whatever their character would wear in real life.<\/span>\"Costuming<\/p>\n

This often meant that less important actors would wear clothes from their personal wardrobes. \u00a0If the play was set in ancient times, a toga might have been draped over any clothes the actor was wearing. \u00a0Since all the actors were men, a female character would be distinguished by a long wig and use of other props. \u00a0For less common costumes, such as a king\u2019s cloak, an outfit might have been custom-tailored.<\/p>\n

Today, costumes are a much bigger deal than ever before. \u00a0In the largest of productions, no one is ever asked to bring their own clothes. \u00a0There are new fabrics being used to increase breathability, movement, quick changes, and other factors that may need to be accommodated. \u00a0Since costumes have to be seen from far distances, they are designed to be larger-than-life, which often involves distinct colors and patterns to separate characters from one another.<\/p>\n

For a play such as King Lear<\/em>, costuming has been important from the beginning. \u00a0He\u2019s one of the characters that would have had something specially designed. \u00a0Multiple costumes were required to show both the physical changes as well as the social changes the character underwent. \u00a0In the days of Shakespeare, the character might have worn heavy purple robes and a beautiful crown at the start of the play. \u00a0Throughout time, there have been adaptations that were more ornate than Shakespeare\u2019s and some that costumed Lear as a general in modern military rather than a king. \u00a0Despite any changes that have been made to the character, there are some striking similarities between his costumes throughout time.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Lear is almost always shown having a beard\u2014usually white or grey.<\/li>\n
  2. His initial costume is made of vibrant colors. They are sturdy and eye-catching garments.<\/li>\n
  3. When Lear goes insane, all variations of the costume how him looking disheveled\u2014usually wearing white or muted tones that have become dirty from wear.<\/li>\n
  4. For the disheveled costume, the character rarely wears shoes.<\/li>\n
  5. Lear\u2019s final costume is more what a high-class commoner would wear\u2014no matter the setting of the story.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"Costuming<\/p>\n

    \"Costuming\"CostumingBeing that the play was written and originally performed so long ago, we have few examples in our collection of the costumes as it first was. \u00a0However, we have searched high and low and found some interesting images from costume designers around the world, dating back from the 1800s to present-day.\u00a0 Clicking on individual images will take you to the site on which they were found. Please enjoy the gallery of costumes, and come into the library to see how the text of the play has changed over time through our multiple volumes of this play. \u00a0We are here from 8am-5pm Monday through Friday. \u00a0We are located on the 8th<\/sup> floor of Blegen Library. \u00a0You can call us at 513-556-1959 to schedule an appointment or email us at archives@ucmail.uc.edu<\/a>. \u00a0Please check out our Facebook page for daily posts!<\/p>\n

    <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a> <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/h6>\n

     <\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    By: Sydney Vollmer, ARB Intern Since the beginning of theater, costumes have played a crucial…<\/p>\n

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