Locrine is an Elizabethan play, first published in 1595, whose author is, sadly, lost to history. The title page says the play was “Newly set forth, corrected, and overseen, by W.S.” As you might expect, scholars and theater practitioners have eagerly tried to prove that this means the play was written, (or at least revised), by Shakespeare. So far, no proof has been found.

“Historical” Context

The play is a tragedy based on the founding of Britain. Over 2,000 years ago, a father and his three sons flee the destroyed Troy, tame the wild landscape of England, and become its first kings. After his father’s death, the eldest son, Locrine, must defend his land from barbarian invaders with the help of his brothers.

Semi-mythical characters

Brutus is the patriarch of the Britons who, according to legend, was descended from Aeneas the sole survivor of the infamous Trojan War. Brutus preserves the legacy of Troy by founding a new city in Britain, Troynovant (New Troy), and establishing his three sons as heirs to his kingdom, much like the old legend of King Lear. For historical context, this story takes place around the 12th century BC, while Lear takes place around the 12th century CE.

Albanact, the youngest son is a great warrior and Brutus gives him modern-day Scotland for his dominion. In the play, he leads the charge against the invading Scythians, led by their emperor Humber. SPOILER ALERT: as is common in many tragedies of this period, Albanact is slain in battle, and comes back as a ghost.

Camber, the middle son, rules modern-day Wales.

BRUTUS

Now, loyal peers, since you are all agreed,

Favor my sons, favor these orphans, Lords,

And shield them from the dangers of their foes.

Locrine, the column of my family,

Now take thy latest blessings at my hands:

And for thou art the eldest of my sons,

Thou shalt be crowned with a laurel branch.

Locrine, the eldest of Brutus’ sons, is strong-willed and courageous, but has the defects of his boldness. As king, he believes he is beyond reproach, and doesn’t listen when his lords warn him against his more selfish acts. This tragic flaw will effect everyone in the play, and bring about Locrine’s downfall.

The Plot

The play shows the rise and fall of Locrine’s family- how his father tamed the untamed forests of Britain, how Locrine defended his land against the ruthless Scithians, and how, through internal divisions and prideful lust, Locrine’s family lose the crown to Queen Gwendolyn.

The prologue

The play begins with a short prologue, not in ancient Britain, but in Ancient Greece, where the titan Prometheus is being chained to a rock, as punishment for stealing fire from the gods. The gods Strength and Vulcan taunt and chide Prometheus and question whether or not his gift is a blessing or a curse for mortals. Prometheus also warns that Zeus will be overthrow if he succumbs to his desire for Thetis

STRENGTH
The radiant pride, the fiery flame, that lends
Its aid to ev'ry art, he stole, and bore
The gift to mortals; for which bold offence
The gods assign him this just punishment.
VULCAN
Jove's high commands require a prompt observance.
Therefore the joyless station of this rock
Unsleeping, unreclining, shalt thou keep.
PROMETHEUS
The ills of man you've heard. I form'd his mind,
And through the cloud of barb'rous ignorance
Diffus'd the beams of knowledge. I will speak,
Not taxing them with blame, but my own gifts
Displaying, and benevolence to them. 
Yet want I now one art, that useful art
To free myself iron these afflicting chains. 

As the play continues, we see Brutus die, leaving his kingdom to his children, and see them become the new kings of Britain. Just as Zeus and his brothers joined to fight the Titans, Locrine and his brothers must unite to ward off Humber. Also, like Zeus, Locrine is tempted to forsake his faithful wife. Therefore, like a Greek myth, Locrine shows the follies of powerful men, who achieve greatness, but not without mistakes and errors that will eventually overthrown them.

A Senecan Tragedy

Like many Renaissance dramas, Locrine takes heavy inspiration from Greco-Roman sources, especially the Roman playwright Seneca, who wrote dark and ponderous plays that frequently depict violence and revenge. The play is full of powerful speeches that reflect the full range of emotions from enraptured joy to bloodthirsty revenge and the characters are defined and driven by powerful passions. The play takes a moral judgement that encourages the audience to see with pity and horror, the consequences of greed, revenge, and lust, (to name a few).

Lo here the end of lawless treachery,

Of usurpation and ambitious pride;

And they that for their private amours dare

Turmoil our land, and set their broils abroach,

Let them be warned by these premises. – Locrine, Act V, Scene v.

Our Interpretation

https://orangemite.org/laviborayelcuervo

La Vibora e Cuervo

Our production, Víbora y cuervo: Locrine and Other Tales, pairs this origin myth with other origin myths to explore their power and purpose in our world. Orangemite.org

Our adaptation of Locrine combines this Elizabethan play with traditional Mesoamerican stories in Spanish, creating a multi cultural, multi lingual story that examines the origins of human civilization, and man’s relationship with the environment. As I discuss in the podcast above, we compare the founding of England with the European colonizers who took over the land from the indigenous people and irreparably transformed the land and the creatures that lived there. Having these stories together can allow the audience to ponder how people of both cultures explain where we come from, our relationship to the world, and the virtues and vices in us all.

I hope you enjoyed this explanation of the play Locrine, and that this description encourages you to see the show for yourself. Below is the ticket information and the list of performances:

Performances/ Ticket Info:

https://orangemite.org/laviborayelcuervo

Friday, August 21, 7pm – at DreamWrights, part of the York Fringe Festival

Saturday, August 22, 7pm – at Heidelberg United Church of Christ (47 W Philadelphia St, York, PA)

Sunday, August 23, 2pm – at DreamWrights, part of the York Fringe Festival

Sources

https://www.folger.edu/blogs/shakespeare-and-beyond/locrine-play-curious-complicated/