Inscribing the Time: Shakespeare and the End of Elizabethan England

Eric Mallin combines new historicism, feminism, and postmodern textual analysis to explore how contemporary pressures influenced three Shakespeare plays written at the end of Elizabeth's reign. The plays reflect the events and anxieties of the seventeenth century, such as the rebellion of the Earl of Essex, the danger of the bubonic plague, and nostalgia for an earlier period of Elizabeth's rule.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 19 August 2022
Publisher: University of California Press

Eric Mallin delves into the intricate interplay of new historicism, feminism, and postmodern textual analysis to explore the profound impact of contemporary pressures on three Shakespearean plays penned towards the end of Elizabeth's reign. Through meticulous examination of the language employed in Troilus and Cressida, Hamlet, and Twelfth Night, Mallin uncovers the ways in which these plays mirror the events and anxieties that characterized the early seventeenth century.

In Troilus, the rebellion of the Earl of Essex and the collapse of the courtly, chivalric style are vividly depicted, resonating with the societal upheavals of the time. Hamlet, on the other hand, captures the pervasive fear of the bubonic plague and the complex succession history of James I, reflecting the political and societal uncertainties of the era. Twelfth Night, infused with nostalgia for a more secure period of Elizabeth's rule, portrays a longing for a time when her authority over religious and erotic matters seemed more unchallenged.

This title is proudly part of UC Press' Voices Revived program, a testament to the publisher's commitment to seeking out and nurturing the finest minds, providing them with a platform to express their ideas, reach a wider audience, and make a lasting impact. Drawing upon a rich backlist dating back to 1893, Voices Revived employs print-on-demand technology to reissue high-quality, peer-reviewed scholarship, making it accessible once again to scholars and enthusiasts alike. Originally published in 1995, this title stands as a testament to the enduring relevance and power of Shakespearean plays in shaping our understanding of history and society.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 229 x 152 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520370791