Shakespearean Character Network Analysis: Residual Dramatic Structures of Medieval Touring Companies and Neoclassical Unity

This study utilizes network analysis to explore structural unity in Renaissance plays, tracing the influence of medieval touring companies on 16th-century dramatic structures. Employing digital humanities methodologies, the research applies community detection algorithms and silhouette scores to analyziry bipartite or multipartite structures across 38 Shakespearean plays. These touring companies, characterized by actors taking on multiple roles, left an enduring imprint on the narrative and character dynamics within Renaissance drama. The study investigates how logistical and theatrical practices influenced the dramatic transformation from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance. Community detection algorithms identify clusters of frequently interacting characters, revealing underlying narrative frameworks. Silhouette scores quantitatively assess the distinctness of these clusters, illuminating the residual dualistic nature of Renaissance drama, potentially inherited from medieval traditions. Additionally, degree centrality measures the influence of central characters on narrative unity, helping to ascertain whether the play's structure revolves around a single protagonist or features a more dispersed model with multiple focal points. While this integration of network theory and literary analysis seeks to understand the interplay between character relationships and narrative structures, the reliance on quantitative methods can oversimplify complex literary details. This experimental approach underscores the need for further research across a broader spectrum of medieval and Renaissance plays and the development of refined computational methods for literary studies, thus broadening the scope and depth of digital humanities in understanding historical narratives.