Criticism, Performance, and the Passions in the Eighteenth Century: The Art of Transition

Great art is about emotion, and critics in the eighteenth century developed a sensitivity to the transitions between passions that could make King Lear beautiful, Hamlet terrifying, Archer hilarious, and Zara electrifying. James Harriman-Smith recovers a lost way of appreciating theatre as a set of transitions that produce simultaneous iconic and dynamic spectacles, offering fresh readings and interpretations of Shakespearean and eighteenth-century tragedy.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 29 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Emotion plays a central role in the realm of great art, and this sentiment was particularly prevalent in the eighteenth century, particularly in the English stage. During this time, critics honed in on the intricate interplay between the passions of a performance and the transitions that bridged them. It was these pivotal moments, meticulously scripted by authors and brought to life by talented actors, that imbued King Lear with beauty, Hamlet with terror, Archer with humor, and Zara with electrifying energy. In his insightful work, James Harriman-Smith reclaims a lost perspective on theater, viewing it as a series of transitions that create iconic and dynamic spectacles. These captivating moments, where anything seems possible, evoke a sense of wonder and awe. By exploring fresh readings and interpretations of Shakespearean and eighteenth-century tragedy, historical acting theory, and early character criticism, this volume showcases the profound connection between drama and a wide range of artistic and intellectual disciplines. It demonstrates how a focus on transition binds theater to various fields, including lyric poetry, Newtonian science, fine art, and skeptical inquiry into the nature of the self. Through this lens, we gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and power of theater, as it weaves together emotions, ideas, and the human experience in truly remarkable ways.

ISBN-13: 9781108812832