Ben Carter
William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language. Shakespeare's life revolved around two locations: Stratford and London. He grew up, started a family, and bought property in Stratford-upon-Avon, but worked in London, the centre of English theatre. Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613, and his plays were generally performed both outdoors and inside. Shakespeare's plays were performed by candlelight, and he also references candles in his works, such as in Henry IV, Part II, where Lord Chief Justice says to Falstaff: What! You are as a candle, the better part burnt out. While it is unknown whether Shakespeare wrote by candlelight, it is likely that he owned candlesticks, as evidenced by the collection of candlesticks from the Tudor period in the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust.
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What You'll Learn
Candles as a metaphor for the body
Shakespeare's plays indicate that candles were understood in both practical and symbolic terms. For instance, in "As You Like It", the character alludes to the candle's essential function in providing light: "I see no more in you / Than without a candle may go dark to bed". Beyond their practical use, candles also held symbolic significance in Shakespeare's works and during his time.
In "Henry VI, Part III", the character laments the passing of life: "Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies". This idea is further explored in "Macbeth": "Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more". Here, the candle represents the fleeting nature of life, highlighting how our time on earth is limited, much like a candle's finite burn.
Beyond Shakespeare, candles have also been used as a metaphor for the body and soul in various spiritual traditions. In Quaker spirituality, for instance, the flame represents the meeting point of the mind/soul and the Spirit. The body is likened to the candle, while the formless soul is compared to the flame, which is directed by the Spirit or "wind". Similarly, in some Jewish teachings, the candle represents the body, and the flame represents the soul. No matter the colour or shape of the candle (the body), the flame (the soul) remains unchanged. This metaphor highlights the belief that the soul strives towards heaven, just as a flame reaches upward.
Candles, therefore, hold a rich symbolic value, representing the body and the soul, and serving as a reminder of the fleeting nature of life.
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Candles as a symbol of the brevity of life
Shakespeare's plays indicate the use of candles in both practical and symbolic terms. In "As You Like It", Shakespeare writes, "I see no more in you / Than without a candle may go dark to bed". Beyond their practical use as a source of light, candles carry profound symbolic significance in various aspects of human life. They are often associated with spirituality and transcendence.
Candles have long been used as a symbol of the brevity of life. In art, candles, especially when paired with a skull or timepiece, serve as a reminder of death, the fragility of human life, and the passing of time. In Shakespeare's "Henry VI, Part III", the character laments: "Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies". Similarly, in "Macbeth", the protagonist muses on the fleeting nature of life, comparing it to a brief candle: "Out, out, brief candle! Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more".
The practice of lighting candles during funerals or memorial services across various religious groups also underscores the transient nature of life. The flickering flame of a candle symbolises the soul's journey beyond earthly existence, illuminating the path toward eternal peace. The warm glow of a candle serves as a source of solace and spiritual symbolism, guiding both the living and the departed through the grieving process.
In Shakespeare's time, the humble candlestick was a significant object that held a place of reverence in daily life. The 'booke of Christian prayers', printed in 1578, included an evening prayer to be recited "at the lighting up of Candles". The prayer acknowledged candles as a "remedy of the darknes [sic]", reflecting their role in dispelling not only physical darkness but also metaphorical darkness, such as ignorance and sin.
The lighting of candles during birthdays also underscores their association with the passing of time and the celebration of life. The warm glow of a candle on a birthday cake symbolises the light and warmth that a person brings into the world, marking the passage of another year with gratitude and joy.
Overall, candles serve as a powerful reminder of the fleeting nature of life. Their soft, flickering light symbolises the warmth and brightness that illuminate our brief existence, guiding us through life's challenges and transitions.
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The use of candles in Shakespeare's plays
Shakespeare's plays indicate that candles were understood in both practical and symbolic terms during his time. In "As You Like It", the following lines refer to the practical function of candles in providing light in the evening: "I see no more in you / Than without a candle may go dark to bed".
Candles also carried symbolic meanings in Shakespeare's plays. In "Henry VI, Part III", the character's words allude to the candle as a symbol of the brevity of life: "Here burns my candle out; ay, here it dies". Similarly, in "Macbeth", the famous phrase "Out, out, brief candle!" is used as a metaphor for the shortness and insignificance of life in the context of death: "Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player / That struts and frets his hour upon the stage / And then is heard no more".
In "The Taming of the Shrew", Katherine's submission to Petruccio's will is demonstrated when she refers to the sun as a "rush-candle", which was the most basic and crude form of lighting in Shakespeare's era. By accepting that the sun could be a rush-candle, Katherine acquiesces to Petruccio's ludicrous assertion.
The use of candles also had practical implications for the performance of Shakespeare's plays. For example, when the King's Men began performing at the indoor Blackfriars playhouse in 1609, the need to trim the candles used to illuminate the playhouse influenced the observance of act breaks.
Overall, candles played a significant role in Shakespeare's plays, both as practical sources of light and as symbols that carried deeper meanings.
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The practicalities of candle usage in playhouses
Shakespeare's plays indicate how candles were understood in both practical and symbolic terms. They were essential for providing light in the evening, especially for lighting the route to bed. In Shakespeare's time, the most basic and crudest form of lighting was the rush-candle, made by dipping a rush into melted animal fat (tallow). These candles produced a lot of smoke and had an unpleasant smell. More expensive candles were made from higher-grade tallow, and even wax, which was reserved for special occasions. These were cast in moulds to create a more uniform size that fit into candlesticks.
The use of candles in playhouses and theatres evolved over time. Early Greek and Roman theatres were built to utilise natural sunlight, with the stages facing east to west to take advantage of the afternoon sun. Early Modern English theatres were roofless, also allowing for natural lighting. As theatres moved indoors, artificial lighting using candles and oil lamps became necessary. The Blackfriars Playhouse, an indoor theatre used by the King's Men starting in 1609, required the use of candles for illumination, and the practicalities of trimming the candles influenced the observance of act breaks.
Chandeliers and sconces were the primary lighting sources in Restoration theatres in England, particularly in commercial theatres for economic reasons. Court theatres, on the other hand, could afford to adopt Continental innovations, such as the use of footlights and lamps. The Drury Lane Theatre and the Covent Garden Theatre are examples of theatres lit by a large central chandelier, with additional smaller chandeliers and candle sconces around the walls.
When using candles in modern theatrical productions, safety considerations are crucial. Real candles can be used on stage, but it is important to consult with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), usually the fire marshal, to ensure proper protocols are followed. A detailed plan should be prepared, outlining the exact action, responsibilities, and potential fire hazards. Matches, for example, can send off hot pieces of phosphorus, so their use must be carefully considered. Buckets of sand are recommended as a fire safety measure, as they are effective and do not pose the same risks as water around electrical equipment.
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The significance of the candlestick in Shakespeare's time
The candlestick was a significant object in Shakespeare's time, as evidenced by its presence in his plays and the prayers of the time. Candles were used for lighting, especially at night, and this is reflected in the following quote from "As You Like It":
> "I see no more in you / Than without candle may go dark to bed".
In Shakespeare's time, candles were made from animal fat (tallow) or wax. The more expensive candles were made from higher-grade tallow, which produced less smoke, and were used in gentry houses. Wax candles were reserved for special occasions. Candlesticks were also made from various materials, such as brass, and were used to hold the candles.
In Shakespeare's plays, candles are used as a metaphor for the body and the brevity of life. In "Henry IV, Part II", Lord Chief Justice compares Falstaff to a candle that has mostly burnt out, to which Falstaff agrees, referring to himself as a "wassail candle". In "Macbeth", the famous soliloquy includes the phrase "Out, out, brief candle!", reflecting on the shortness of life and the emptiness of ambition in the context of death.
The candle's association with light also had spiritual connotations in religious works of the period. The "Booke of Christian Prayers", printed in 1578, included a prayer to be said each evening "at the lighting of candles". This prayer highlights the candle's role in providing physical light in the darkness and spiritual light in the face of ignorance and sin.
Thus, the candlestick held profound significance in Shakespeare's time, not only as a source of light but also as a symbol of life, mortality, and spiritual enlightenment.
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