with Emily Winerock
From the lively galliard to the intimate volta, dancing was more than entertainment—it was a statement of identity, politics, and even resistance. In the world Shakespeare inhabited, dance could reveal your rank, signal your intentions in courtship, or align you with (or against) the religious and political authorities of the day. And far from being confined to court, these performances spilled into the streets, the Inns of Court, and even onto the stages of early modern theatres.
This week, we welcome Dr. Emily Winerock to explore the vital role of dance in the 16th and 17th centuries—how it shaped social interactions, performance culture, and, in many ways, the movement of Shakespeare’s own stories.
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Summary
Dr. Emily Winerock joins us to explore the fascinating world of dance in early modern England, focusing on how dance functioned socially, politically, and theatrically during Shakespeare’s lifetime. We discuss the gendered implications of dancing, the cultural importance of specific dances like the galliard and the volta, and how dancing was used to communicate status, courtship, and even rebellion. Emily also highlights the overlap between dance and swordplay, as well as evidence of dancing on Shakespeare’s stages and the broader connection to civic and courtly performance traditions.
Key Takeaways
- Elizabethan dance was deeply entwined with gender roles, courtship, and social status.
- The volta, often referenced in literature, was physically intimate and symbolically complex.
- Dancing served as a site for political messaging and embodied power dynamics.
- Civic pageants and court masques used dance to shape elite and popular identities.
- Fencing and dancing were linked in training and practice.
- Evidence suggests dance was included in performances at Shakespeare’s theatres.
- Religious and political groups (like Puritans) both challenged and adapted dance traditions.
About Today’s Guest
Dr. Emily Winerock is a historian specializing in early modern British history, performance, and dance. She is a founding member of the Shakespeare and Dance Project and editor of Shakespeare and Dance. Her research blends archival discoveries with performance-based scholarship to explore the role of dance in 16th- and 17th-century society.
Resources Our Guest Recommends
- Shakespeare and Dance: A Cultural History, edited by Emily Winerock
- The World of the Lutist, for insights into music used for dance
- The Inns of Court Revels records and civic pageant documentation
- John Playford’s The English Dancing Master
Relevant Links
- The Shakespeare and Dance Project
- Bodleian Library, Early Court Dances
- Early Dance Circle (UK)
- Records of Early English Drama (REED)
- Emily Winerock’s academic profile
- Lute Society of America
- Emily Winerock Substack
- The Complete Dance Guide to Playford’s 17thC Dancing Manual
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