The Changeling: The State of Play

This collection of essays explores The Changeling by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley, focusing on critical and theatrical aspects, including space, theology, collaboration, disability, and performance. Contributors from various countries offer diverse perspectives, challenging previous interpretations and providing a comprehensive understanding of the play.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 10 February 2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive collection of original essays delves into the enigmatic revenge tragedy, The Changeling, penned by Thomas Middleton and William Rowley. Spanning 13 chapters, it explores diverse themes such as space, theology, collaboration, disability, both mental and physical, and performance in both early modern and contemporary contexts. Organized into six sections, the essays provide a thorough examination of these critical aspects, offering valuable insights for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Contributors from various countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, France, and Switzerland, contribute their expertise to this volume. Their diverse perspectives and approaches enrich the discussion, broadening the scope of critical inquiry beyond the previous tendency to treat Middleton as merely an early modern equivalent of Henrik Ibsen, to overlook Rowley's contributions, and to solely focus on a single aspect of the play's plot.

Among the key themes and topics explored in the essays are performance, space and affect, authorial collaboration, gender and representation, violence, and disability. The authors analyze the play's theatrical aspects, exploring how performances have shaped its interpretation and reception over time. They also delve into the spatial dimensions of the drama, examining how the setting and stage design contribute to the overall narrative and emotional impact.

The essays also explore the themes of collaboration and authorship, examining how Middleton and Rowley worked together to create this complex and layered tragedy. They analyze the ways in which their individual strengths and artistic visions complemented each other, resulting in a work that is both innovative and enduring. Gender and representation are also examined, shedding light on the ways in which the play explores and challenges traditional notions of masculinity, femininity, and power.

Violence is another central theme, with the essays exploring the various forms of violence depicted on stage and their implications for the characters and the audience. They analyze the ways in which violence is used as a tool for revenge, justice, and transformation, and consider the ethical and moral dilemmas it raises. Disability, both mental and physical, is also explored, highlighting the ways in which the play addresses and challenges societal attitudes towards individuals with disabilities.

The collection includes a comprehensive bibliography that provides readers with easy access to the most frequently cited materials in the volume. This resource aids in further exploration of the critical discourse surrounding The Changeling, enabling readers to delve deeper into the wealth of scholarly research and analysis available.

In conclusion, this collection of essays on The Changeling represents a significant contribution to criticism and research in the field of early modern drama. By exploring a range of themes and topics, it provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of this important play and its place in the broader context of early modern literature and culture. The diverse perspectives and scholarly expertise of the contributors make this volume an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 209 x 133 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350174382