Was Shakespeare’s greatest clown a brilliant improviser or just a chaotic nuisance?
In short: William Kempe was a superstar of the Elizabethan stage, famous for his jigs and comic genius. Yet, his career was defined by tension: he was a core shareholder in Shakespeare’s company who eventually vanished from their productions, leaving behind a legacy of mystery, poverty, and a legendary dance to Norwich.
William Kempe was one of the most celebrated clowns of the Elizabethan era, serving as a founding member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men alongside William Shakespeare and Richard Burbage. By the late 1590s, his fame was so significant that his name on a play’s title page served as a primary marketing tool to draw audiences. Contemporaries viewed him as the successor to the legendary Richard Tarlton, and he likely originated iconic comic roles, potentially including Falstaff.
Despite his stature, Kempe’s relationship with Shakespeare’s company soured. By 1599, he had departed the troupe under unclear circumstances. Scholars point to Hamlet’s famous critique of clowns who improvise beyond their scripted lines as a potential jab at Kempe’s performance style. While Shakespeare’s company moved to the Globe Theatre, Kempe was notably absent from its productions. His career trajectory shifted toward solo stunts, most famously a nine-day morris dance from London to Norwich in 1600, which he documented in his work, Kempes Nine Daies Wonder.
Kempe’s origins remain a subject of debate. While some records refer to him as a gentleman, his parentage is unknown. He may have been linked to the wealthy Kempe dynasty of Ollantighe, though claims of a direct connection to Sir Thomas Kempe have been debunked. Following his departure from the Chamberlain’s Men, his career declined. He joined Worcester’s Men and borrowed money from Philip Henslowe, eventually dying in obscurity around 1603. Whether he was a victim of changing theatrical tastes or his own unmanageable improvisational style, Kempe remains a pivotal, if enigmatic, figure in the history of English comedy.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: William Kempe | Shakespearean actor, Comedian, Dancer | Britannica
- Also: William Kempe
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