Shakespeare on the Ecological Surface

Shakespeare on the Ecological Surface explores the relationship between contemporary performance and ecocriticism by examining the surfaces of slick, smoke, sky, steam, soil, slime, snail, silk, skin, and stage. It reveals how thinking about Shakespearean surfaces helps readers explore the politics of Elizabethan and Jacobean culture and draws surprising parallels with our current political and ecological concerns. The book explores how Shakespeare uses ecological surfaces to understand other types of surfaces in his plays and poems.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 250 pages
Publication date: 31 January 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Shakespeare on the Ecological Surface delves into the intricate relationship between contemporary performance and ecocriticism, employing the concept of the'surface' to explore this connection. Within its pages, the book examines the diverse surfaces of slick, smoke, sky, steam, soil, slime, snail, silk, skin, and stage, seeking to establish meaningful connections between ecocriticism, activism, critical theory, Shakespeare, and performance. While the term'surface' was not explicitly used in Shakespeare's works, Liz Oakley-Brown demonstrates how engaging with Shakespearean surfaces can facilitate a deeper understanding of the politics of Elizabethan and Jacobean culture. Moreover, she uncovers surprising parallels between Shakespeare's era and our current political and ecological challenges.

The book delves into Shakespeare's innovative use of ecological surfaces to interpret and analyze various aspects of his plays and poems. It explores how Shakespeare employs these surfaces to understand the public selves. Facades of characters, the intermingling zones. Zones of contact between characters and the natural world, the textual surfaces upon which words are inscribed, and the physical surfaces upon which plays are staged. By examining these diverse surfaces, the book offers valuable insights into Shakespeare's artistic exploration of the complexities of human-nature relationships, social hierarch. Power dynamics, and the intersection of language and the natural world.

This comprehensive book is a must-read for scholars and enthusiasts alike, encompassing a wide range of disciplines such as Shakespeare studies, early modern culture, ecocriticism, performance, and activism. It provides a rich and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which Shakespeare's works continue to resonate with contemporary concerns, offering valuable insights into the enduring relevance of his timeless.

Weight: 280g
Dimension: 128 x 197 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367345860