Memory and Affect in Shakespeare's England

This collection combines the study of memory and affect in early modern culture, offering an innovative research agenda and interdisciplinary approaches to Shakespeare's work. It explores a broad range of texts, concerns, and methodologies, making it valuable for postgraduate students, lecturers, researchers, and teachers of Shakespeare.

Format: Hardback
Length: 300 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This groundbreaking collection is the first to comprehensively explore the intersection of memory and affect in early modern culture. Essays by esteemed and emerging scholars in Shakespeare studies present a forward-thinking research agenda, encouraging innovative approaches to Shakespeare's work that embrace interdisciplinary collaboration. By drawing on the rich contexts of Renaissance literature across genres and various discourses, including rhetoric, medicine, religion, morality, historiography, colonialism, and politics, the chapters bring together a diverse range of texts, concerns, and methodologies essential to the study of early modern culture. This book is a valuable resource for postgraduate students, lecturers, and researchers interested in the broader fields of memory studies and the history of emotions, two dynamic and rapidly growing areas of research. It will also be of immense value to teachers of Shakespeare, dramaturges, and directors of stage productions, fostering discussions on how convergences of memory and affect shape stagecraft, dramaturgy, rhetoric, and poetic language.

Introduction:
The study of memory and affect in early modern culture has emerged as a vital and dynamic field of inquiry, shedding light on the complex interplay between individual experiences, societal structures, and artistic expression. This collection, comprising essays by leading and emerging scholars in Shakespeare studies, takes a pioneering approach by systematically combining the study of memory and affect in this rich historical context. By exploring the intersections of these two phenomena, the chapters in this book offer a fresh and innovative research agenda, inviting new and exploratory approaches to Shakespeare's work that embrace interdisciplinary cross-fertilization.

Contexts of Renaissance Literature:
The chapters in this collection draw upon a wide range of Renaissance literature across genres, including drama, poetry, prose, and visual art. By examining these texts within the broader contexts of Renaissance culture, scholars provide a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which memory and affect were intertwined and shaped by various discourses and ideologies. From rhetoric and medicine to religion and morality, the chapters explore the ways in which these discourses influenced the construction of individual and collective memories, as well as the expression and negotiation of emotions in early modern society.

Interdisciplinary Cross-Fertilization:
One of the key strengths of this collection is its commitment to interdisciplinary cross-fertilization. The essays bring together scholars from diverse fields, including literary studies, history, cultural studies, and psychology, to explore the complex relationships between memory and affect. By integrating multiple perspectives and methodologies, the chapters offer a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which these phenomena operated in early modern culture. This interdisciplinary approach not only deepens our understanding of Shakespeare's work but also expands our horizons to other cultural and historical contexts.

Innovative Research Agenda:
The essays in this collection present a forward-thinking research agenda that challenges traditional approaches to Shakespeare's work. By exploring new avenues of inquiry and employing innovative methodologies, scholars invite us to reimagine our understanding of Shakespeare's plays and their significance in early modern culture. From the use of memory theory and cognitive psychology to the analysis of visual and material culture, the chapters offer a wealth of insights and methodologies that will stimulate postgraduate students, lecturers, and researchers with an interest in the broader fields of memory studies and the history of the emotions.

Valuable Resource for Teachers:
In addition to its academic value, this collection will also prove invaluable to teachers of Shakespeare, dramaturges, and directors of stage productions. The chapters provide a wealth of pedagogical resources and ideas that can be used to engage students in meaningful discussions about the intersections of memory and affect in Shakespeare's plays. By incorporating interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies, teachers can foster a deeper understanding of Shakespeare's language, rhetoric, and stagecraft, and encourage students to think critically and creatively about the ways in which these phenomena influence the production of stage performances.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, this groundbreaking collection is a significant contribution to the field of Shakespeare studies and the broader study of memory and affect in early modern culture. By bringing together scholars from diverse disciplines and offering a forward-thinking research agenda, the chapters in this book provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which memory and affect shaped the lives and works of individuals in early modern society. This collection will be of immense value to postgraduate students, lecturers, researchers, and teachers alike, fostering discussions on how convergences of memory and affect influence stagecraft, dramaturgy, rhetoric, and poetic language.

Weight: 632g
Dimension: 158 x 237 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316517697