Circumstantial Shakespeare

Shakespeare's characters are thought to be his greatest achievement, while his plots are said to be second-hand and careless of details. Circumstantial Shakespeare explodes these critical commonplaces by revealing the importance of topics of circumstance in the conjuring of compelling narratives and vivid mental images. It offers new readings of Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Lucrece, Two Gentlemen of Verona, and Macbeth, as well as new interpretations of Sackville and Norton's Gorboduc and Beaumont and Fletcher's The Maid's Tragedy. It engages with eighteenth-century Shakespeare criticism, contemporary Shakespeare criticism, semiotics of theatre, Roman forensic rhetoric, humanist pedagogy, the prehistory of modern probability, psychoanalytic criticism, and sixteenth-century constitutional thought.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 208 pages
\n Publication date: 01 February 2018
\n Publisher: Oxford University Press
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Shakespeare's characters are often regarded as his greatest achievement, characterized by their imaginative autonomy, depth, and individuality. While his plots are sometimes criticized for being second-hand and lacking in precise details regarding time and place, this viewpoint has endured the test of time and even been revitalized by recent emphasis on the collaborative nature of early modern theatre. However, a prevailing myth about Shakespeare's work revolves around his rejection of neoclassicism, suggesting that he freely experimented with theatrical time and location.

In reality, Shakespeare's approach to circumstance was rooted in the rhetorical tradition of the sixteenth century. He recognized the significance of topics such as Time, Place, and Motive in creating compelling narratives and vivid mental images. Rather than ignoring these elements, Shakespeare ingeniously employed them to imply offstage actions, times, and places based on the motives and desires we attribute to his characters. This innovative technique allowed his plays to establish their own distinct and coherent dramatic worlds, while also evoking the unconscious feelings of the characters within them.

Circumstantial Shakespeare is a groundbreaking approach that offers fresh readings and interpretations of several of Shakespeare's plays. By delving into the topics of circumstance, it sheds light on the underlying motivations and desires of the characters, providing a deeper understanding of their actions and emotions. This method has the potential to transform our understanding of Shakespeare's works and offer new insights into the complexities of his narratives.

In conclusion, Shakespeare's characters are considered his greatest achievement, and his plots are often praised for their imaginative depth and individuality. While some may argue that his attention to detail regarding time and place could be improved, the truth is that Shakespeare's use of circumstance was a brilliant innovation that allowed his plays to create their own vivid and coherent dramatic worlds. By delving into the topics of circumstance, Shakespeare's work can be re-evaluated and appreciated in a new light, offering fresh readings and interpretations that deepen our understanding of his narratives and the characters that inhabit them.

\n Weight: 216g\n
Dimension: 129 x 195 x 12 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780198816393\n \n