Shakespearean Echolalia: Autism and Versification in King John

In King John 3.1, Bastard speaks with a repetition I claim as autistic, specifically echolalia. Echolalia is an autistic speech pattern involving repetition of words and phrases; it is not unique to autism. Attention to versification in 3.1 reveals the ways in which echolalia challenges ableist norm...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inShakespeare (London, England) Vol. 18; no. 3; pp. 335 - 351
Main Author Seymour, Laura
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Abingdon Routledge 03.07.2022
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Subjects
autism
disability
King John
neurodiversity
Shakespeare, William (1564-1616)
versification
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Summary:In King John 3.1, Bastard speaks with a repetition I claim as autistic, specifically echolalia. Echolalia is an autistic speech pattern involving repetition of words and phrases; it is not unique to autism. Attention to versification in 3.1 reveals the ways in which echolalia challenges ableist norms of meaning and suggests fruitful cripped ways of understanding temporality and intentionality in Shakespearean verse speaking. This article analyses Shakespeare's versification to unlock 3.1's autistic potential, thereby opening space for future neurodiverse readers and performers to engage with Shakespearean echolalia.
ISSN:1745-0918
1745-0926
DOI:10.1080/17450918.2022.2090596