Paratext Printed with New English Plays, 1660–1700

The presence of twelve elements in Element Paratext printed with new English plays provides insight into playwrights' intentions and audience responses, contributing to generic evolution patterns over two centuries. The Licensing Act of 1737 reversed much of this evolution.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 92 pages
Publication date: 01 February 2024
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

This Element Paratext, printed with new English plays, holds immense significance in unraveling the intentions of playwrights and the reactions of audiences, thereby providing valuable insights into the broader patterns of generic evolution spanning two centuries. The examination of the presence (or absence) of twelve key elements is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of this literary phenomenon. These elements include attribution of authorship, generic designation, performance auspices, government license authorizing publication, dedication, prefaces of various kinds, a list of characters (including three types), actors' names (often accompanied by descriptive characterizations, aiding in deducing the intended authorial interpretation), the location of action, and the prologue and epilogue for the first production. By analyzing these findings, we can observe that a significant reversal occurs in the generic evolution during the eighteenth century, largely attributed to the Licensing Act of 1737. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.

Weight: 147g
ISBN-13: 9781009270519