Libels and Theater in Shakespeare's England: Publics, Politics, Performance

During the 1590s, a surge of libeling in Elizabethan England resulted from crises such as xenophobia, dearth, and hunger, empowering ordinary people to pass judgment on controversial issues. This book charts a public sphere poised between debate and defamation, between free speech and fake news.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In his groundbreaking work, "The First Comprehensive History of Libels in Elizabethan England," Joseph Mansky delves into the intricate tapestry of law, literature, and culture that shaped the landscape of libeling during the vibrant era of Elizabethan England. Spanning the 1590s, a period marked by a convergence of crises, including simmering xenophobia, years of scarcity and hunger, and surges of religious persecution, this book unveils an extraordinary surge of libeling that reverberated across society. Simultaneously, the same years witnessed the emergence of libels on the London stages, where defamatory and seditious texts took flight, casting their shadows in windows, being recited in court, preached from pulpits, and intercepted by informers. Despite their controversial nature, libels held a unique power to empower ordinary individuals, granting them the ability to pass judgment on the most contentious issues and prominent figures of the day. These writings traversed the early modern media, transcending class, confessional, and geographical boundaries, creating a dynamic public sphere that oscillated between debate and defamation, between the freedom of speech and the proliferation of fake news.

From the rich tapestry of Shakespearean drama to the colorful provincial pageantry, Mansky's book charts a fascinating journey through the realm of libeling. It explores the ways in which these writings shaped public opinion, influenced political discourse, and played a crucial role in the development of early modern media. By examining the interplay between law, literature, and culture, Mansky sheds light on the complex dynamics that defined the Elizabethan era, providing a rich and nuanced understanding of the role of libels in shaping the world of the past.

Weight: 548g
ISBN-13: 9781009362764