Shakespeare's Hobby-Horse and Early Modern Popular Culture

The book "Hobby-Horse: Riding the English Countryside in the Early Modern Period" is a comprehensive treatment of hobby-horse allusions in early modern England, filling a niche in scholarship. It contextualizes and corrects traditional explanations, providing a fuller understanding of popular culture. Comparative close readings of plays highlight differences in dramaturgical composition, and the accessible language makes it useful for scholars and practitioners from various fields.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 31 May 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The book is a groundbreaking contribution to early modern scholarship, offering a comprehensive exploration of hobby-horse allusions that has not been previously published. It fills a significant gap in the field, providing valuable insights into the cultural, theatrical, print, and visual aspects of early modern England. By contextualizing and often correcting traditional explanations for the word 'hobby-horse,' the book greatly assists relevant dictionaries and glossaries in critical editions. Moreover, its comprehensive treatment of hobby-horse allusions, spanning from cultural history to theatrical, print, and visual productions, enables a deeper understanding of how popular culture operated in this period. Comparative close readings of both little-known and canonical plays highlight the diverse dramaturgical composition styles, offering valuable conclusions for theatre practitioners even today. The book appeals to a wide range of interests, including theatre, cultural history, literature, art history, folklore studies, and more. Written in an accessible language, it guides the reader through a wealth of early modern texts and concepts, making it an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367515195