The Drama of Complaint: Ethical Provocations in Shakespeare's Tragedy

The Drama of Complaint is the first book-length study of complaint in Shakespearean drama, arguing that poetic forms of complaint operate as sites of thought about human flourishing and model new ways of thinking about ethical subjectivity. It develops these arguments through five chapters that demonstrate the thinking materialized in and through five prolific forms of complaint, each with a matrix of ethical thought and a new reading of a Shakespearean tragedy.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 08 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

The Drama of Complaint: Ethical Provocations in Shakespeare's Tragedy is a groundbreaking book-length study that delves into the realm of complaint in Shakespearean drama. In her insightful work, Emily Shortslef presents two compelling main arguments. Firstly, she argues that poetic forms of complaint, which express discontent and unhappiness, serve as sites of thought about human flourishing within both literary and nonliterary discourses throughout the period. These forms of complaint become platforms for ethical inquiry, exploring the values and principles that guide human existence. Secondly, Shortslef contends that Shakespearean configurations of these ubiquitous complaint forms in theatrical scenes model innovative ways of thinking about ethical subjectivity. These configurations challenge traditional notions of morality and encourage individuals to desire, act, and live in accordance with ideals of a good life.

The Drama of Complaint unfolds its arguments through five chapters, each dedicated to exploring a specific form of complaint. These forms include existential, judicial, spectral, female, and deathbed complaints. Each chapter serves as a case study, meticulously identifying and theorizing one of these complaint forms. It then delineates a matrix of ethical thought that underpins and structures that form. Furthermore, the chapters develop a fresh and insightful reading of a Shakespearean tragedy, ensuring that the form of complaint and the ethical questions it raises are integral to the interpretation and understanding of the play.

Through her meticulous research and thoughtful analysis, Emily Shortslef offers a profound exploration of the ethical dimensions of complaint in Shakespearean drama. The Drama of Complaint is a valuable contribution to Shakespearean studies, shedding light on the complex interplay between poetic forms of complaint, ethical inquiry, and theatrical representation. It encourages readers to reexamine the ethical implications of human discontent and unhappiness, and to consider how Shakespearean drama can inspire us to live more ethically and purposefully.

Weight: 492g
Dimension: 240 x 160 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192868480