Ovid and Adaptation in Early Modern English Theatre

This collection explores how adaptation studies can be used to analyze early modern transformations of Ovid's works, combining contemporary theoretical approaches with traditional literary analysis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

This groundbreaking collection is the first to employ adaptation studies in conjunction with other contemporary theoretical approaches to analyze the early modern transformations of Ovid's works. It delves into a rich array of topics, including the influence of neoclassicism on Ovid's poetry, the role of gender and sexuality in his writings, and the ways in which his texts have been adapted and reinterpreted in various cultural contexts.

The editors have assembled a diverse group of scholars from different fields, including literary criticism, cultural studies, and history, to contribute their expertise and perspectives to this volume. Each chapter offers a comprehensive analysis of a specific aspect of Ovid's work, drawing on a wide range of primary sources and secondary literature.

The first chapter, "Neoclassicism and the Reception of Ovid," explores the ways in which Ovid's poetry was influenced by the neoclassical movement in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The authors argue that neoclassicism's emphasis on order, balance, and rationality influenced Ovid's portrayal of the human condition and his use of classical myth and legend.

The second chapter, "Gender and Sexuality in Ovid's Metamorphoses," examines the ways in which Ovid's epic poem explores themes of gender and sexuality. The authors argue that Ovid's use of gender stereotypes and his exploration of unconventional sexual relationships challenge traditional notions of gender and power.

The third chapter, "Adaptation and Reinterpretation in Early Modern Europe," explores the ways in which Ovid's texts were adapted and reinterpreted in various cultural contexts throughout early modern Europe. The authors argue that Ovid's works were appropriated by different authors and audiences for different purposes, such as political commentary, religious interpretation, and entertainment.

The fourth chapter, "Adaptation and Reinterpretation in Contemporary Culture," examines the ways in which Ovid's texts have been adapted and reinterpreted in contemporary culture. The authors argue that Ovid's themes and characters continue to resonate with modern audiences, particularly in the fields of literature, film, and television.

In conclusion, this collection is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in the early modern transformations of Ovid's works. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of these texts, drawing on a wide range of primary and secondary sources and employing a variety of theoretical frameworks. The chapters are well-written and accessible, making this volume an excellent introduction to the field for those new to adaptation studies.

This groundbreaking collection is the first to employ adaptation studies in conjunction with other contemporary theoretical approaches to analyze the early modern transformations of Ovid's works. It delves into a rich array of topics, including the influence of neoclassicism on Ovid's poetry, the role of gender and sexuality in his writings, and the ways in which his texts have been adapted and reinterpreted in various cultural contexts.

The editors have assembled a diverse group of scholars from different fields, including literary criticism, cultural studies, and history, to contribute their expertise and perspectives to this volume. Each chapter offers a comprehensive analysis of a specific aspect of Ovid's work, drawing on a wide range of primary sources and secondary literature.

The first chapter, "Neoclassicism and the Reception of Ovid," explores the ways in which Ovid's poetry was influenced by the neoclassical movement in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. The authors argue that neoclassicism's emphasis on order, balance, and rationality influenced Ovid's portrayal of the human condition and his use of classical myth and legend.

The second chapter, "Gender and Sexuality in Ovid's Metamorphoses," examines the ways in which Ovid's epic poem explores themes of gender and sexuality. The authors argue that Ovid's use of gender stereotypes and his exploration of unconventional sexual relationships challenge traditional notions of gender and power.

The third chapter, "Adaptation and Reinterpretation in Early Modern Europe," explores the ways in which Ovid's texts were adapted and reinterpreted in various cultural contexts throughout early modern Europe. The authors argue that Ovid's works were appropriated by different authors and audiences for different purposes, such as political commentary, religious interpretation, and entertainment.

The fourth chapter, "Adaptation and Reinterpretation in Contemporary Culture," examines the ways in which Ovid's texts have been adapted and reinterpreted in contemporary culture. The authors argue that Ovid's themes and characters continue to resonate with modern audiences, particularly in the fields of literature, film, and television.

In conclusion, this collection is a valuable resource for scholars and students interested in the early modern transformations of Ovid's works. It offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach to the study of these texts, drawing on a wide range of primary and secondary sources and employing a variety of theoretical frameworks. The chapters are well-written and accessible, making this volume an excellent introduction to the field for those new to adaptation studies.

Weight: 458g
Dimension: 154 x 234 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474430074