When medieval cartographers drew maps of the world they included mermaids among the fantastic ocean beasts that they believed roamed the waters of foreign lands. Professional explorers like Henry Hudson in 1608, described sighting a mermaid in the Northern Atlantic ocean, describing how the mermaid called to the men on his ship. Philosophers, physicians, and clergymen, all described, in detail, the discovery, examination, and even display of mermaid bodies. There was a pervasive belief that mermaids were real, and a definitive threat to anyone travelling the ocean. One of the most popular settings for Shakespeare’s plays, Italy was known for being a gathering place for mermaids. Along with individuals who saw mermaids in the wild, there were also persistent and incredible stories of mermaids like Melusine, who married a King of Scotland. Despite the centuries of folklore, mermaids seem to have a consistent description as to who, and what, they were, and where you would be able to find one.The 15th c saw a specific rise in the stories of mermaids, and by the time Shakespeare was writing about them, mermaids were a well established part of Renaissance thought across the British Isles. Here this week to take us back to the 16th century British Isles and share with us the history, folklore, and science behind mermaids to examine exactly what Shakespeare would have understood or believed about mermaids is the man who wrote the book on Merpeople, Vaughn Scribner.
Subscribe
Itunes | Stitcher | TuneIn | GooglePlay | iHeartRadio
Looking for the extras? See 16th century woodcuts of mermaids, illustrations of “Miraculous Mermen”, and more inside the Detailed Show Notes for Patrons.
Vaughn Scribner is an Associate Professor of History at the University of Central Arkansas. He is the author of Merpeople: A Human History which explores the history of mermaids and mermen across the world, including the many surviving reports from sailors, pirates, and explorers who claimed to have seen these fantastic creatures. Vaughn has also published Inn Civility: Urban Taverns and Early American Civil Society, in addition to various articles and book chapters which cover the environmental, social, and political history of the British Empire.
In this episode, I’ll be asking Vaughn Scribner about :
-
In his book, Merpeople, Vaughn Scribner points out an extensive medieval history foundation for the 16th c understanding of mermaids, and it seems there was a vague line between fact and fiction concerning mermaids. Vaughn, would people in Shakespeare’s lifetime have believed mermaids to be real creatures?
-
In his book, Vaughn cites real stories of mermaid sightings, just as one story in 1187. Vaughn writes, “in 1187, fishermen off the coast of England caught a strange creature resembling ‘in shape a wild or savage man’” Vaughn, were there stories from Shakespeare’s lifetime of people finding what they considered to be real merpeople?
-
One of the places we see mermaids depicted in artwork is from the Church. Vaughn, what was the 16th century Church’s opinion of mermaids, and why are they so prevalent in religious artwork from this period?
… and more!
Discover the Myth and Meaning of Mermaids in the 16th Century
Bring Shakespeare’s world to life in your classroom with our Mermaids Complete Lesson Pack—a printable history guide designed for students and educators. This engaging resource features original 16th- and 17th-century woodcuts and illustrations, archival photographs of mermaids carved into church furniture, and a period-authentic coloring sheet of the legendary Melusine. With a writing prompt and play review guide included, this pack invites learners to explore how myth met meaning in Renaissance England.
Available as a downloadable resource exclusively for Experience Shakespeare patrons on Patreon.
Books & Resources Vaughn Scribner Recommends
The Female Opossum and the Nature of the New World by Susan Scott Parrish, The William and Mary Quarterly, Vol. 54, No. 3 (Jul., 1997), pp. 475-514 (40 pages)
Published By: Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture https://www.jstor.org/stable/2953837
Comment and Share
Please consider rating the podcast with 5 stars and leaving a one- or two-sentence review in iTunes or on Stitcher. Rating the podcast helps tremendously with bringing the podcast to the attention of others.
You can tell your friends on Twitter about your love of Shakespeare and our new podcast by simply clicking this link and sharing the tweet you’ll find at the other end.
And, by all means, if you know someone you think would love to learn about the life of William Shakespeare, please spread the word by using the share buttons on this page.
And remember: In order to really know William Shakespeare, you have to go behind the curtain, and into That Shakespeare Life.
