Shakespeare's Adolescents: Age, Gender and the Body in Shakespearean Performance and Early Modern Culture

Shakespeare's adolescents explores the representation of adolescent characters in his plays, unpacking the complexities of cultural and theatrical representations of physical maturation. It examines verbal cues, facial adornments, vocal traits, and body sizes to present vibrant adolescent selves and stories. By analyzing female and male puberty together, the book provides insight into the age-based symmetry of early modern adolescent identities and the value of adolescence in early modern culture.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 12 March 2024
Publisher: Manchester University Press

Shakespeare's Adolescents delves into the diverse portrayal of adolescent characters in Shakespeare's plays, employing early modern medical knowledge and an understanding of contemporary theatrical practices. Through its exploration of various "signs of puberty," including verbal cues, facial adornments, vocal traits, and body sizes, the book unravels the complexities surrounding the cultural and theatrical representations of physical maturation. Each chapter examines the implications of these signs, shedding light on how Shakespeare presents vibrant adolescent selves and narratives. By analyzing female and male puberty together, Shakespeare's Adolescents offers a fresh perspective on the age-based symmetry of early modern adolescent identities. The book utilizes the transformative state of adolescence to highlight the valued nature of youth in early modern culture, particularly through the celebrated characters and actors of Shakespeare's plays.

Weight: 510g
Dimension: 234 x 156 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526168191