This Companion brings Renaissance drama to life by considering such classic plays as Hamlet, Othello and Dr Faustus from the perspective of contemporary theatre-goers.
Discussions of Shakespeare’s masterpieces are accompanied by examinations of the work of lesser known playwrights and commentators, while chapters on “Madness and Subjectivity”, “Rhetoric and Performance” and “Nation-Building” etc. provide a variety of key critical perspectives. Author: Hugh Mackay. (350 pages) Level: Gymnasiet (esp. A)
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York Notes Companions:
- Analysis of key texts and debates
- Extended commentaries provide further in-depth analysis of individual texts
- Notes contain extra context and explanations of literary terms
- Historical, social and cultural contexts explored in introductory chapters and alongside discussions
- Modern critical theory and perspectives in practice
- Timelines and annotated further reading
CONTENTS:
Part One: Introduction
Part Two: A Cultural Overview
Part Three: Texts, Writers and Contexts
- Shakespeare’s comedies of eros: A Midsummer Night’s Dream and As You Like It
Extended commentary: Twelfth Night
- Chronicles of virtue – Shakespeare’s history plays: Richard III and Henry IV Part 1
Extended commentary: Henry V
- Tyranny and terror – Tragedy on the English Stage: Dr Faustus, Othello and Macbeth
Extended commentary: Hamlet
- Shakespearean tragicomedy: Philaster andAll’s Well that Ends Well Extended commentary: The Tempest
- Comedies of Humour, Comedies of Pain: Every Man in his Humour and The Fawn
Extended commentary: Volpone
- Jacobean Revenge drama: Revenger’s Tragedy and Women Beware Women
Extended commentary: The Duchess of Malfi
Part Four: Critical theories and Debates
Madness and Subjectivity
Rhetoric and Performance
Women at the Edge
Nation-building
Part Five: Resources
Timeline
Further reading
Index