Considering plays by Philip Massinger, Richard Brome, Ben Jonson, John Ford and James Shirley, this study addresses the political import of Caroline drama as it engages with contemporary struggles ove
The English Renaissance has long been considered a period with a particular focus on imitation; however, much related scholarship has misunderstood or simply marginalized the significance of emulative
Despite his significant influence as a courtier, diplomat, playwright and theatre manager, Thomas Killigrew (1612-1683) remains a comparatively elusive and neglected figure. The original essays in thi
Even for scholars who have devoted their careers to the early modern theatre, the name John Lowin may not instantly evoke recognition-until now, the actor's life and contribution to the theatre of the
Offering the first sustained and comprehensive scholarly consideration of the dramatic potential of the blazon, this volume complicates what has become a standard reading of the Petrarchan convention
Engaging with fiction and history- and reading both genres as texts permeated with early modern anxieties, desires and apprehensions- this collection scrutinizes the historical intersection of early m
Until recently, according to Ko (English, Wellesley College), scholars have tended to dismiss as naive critical readings of Shakespeare that delved into the motives and backstories of the characters.
The Chester Cycle is a remarkable suite of medieval mystery plays, created by and for the people of Chester, England, a city founded by the ancient Romans and occupied until the present day. These pla
Though Shakespeare is all but exclusively concerned with individuality in his exploration of the human condition, argues Wiegandt (English literature, Freie U., Berlin), the enduring appeal of his pla
The trope of disguised ruler mixing with common folk goes back to antiquity, says actor-turned-scholar Quarmby (Halle Institute for Global Learning, Atlanta and Shakespeare's Globe, London), and he sh
Exploring individual and collective formation of gender identities, this book contributes to current scholarly discourses by examining plays in the genre of 'erudite comedy' (commedia erudita), which
Schneider (U. of Manchester, England) examines the opening and closing addresses to the audience that bracketed many early modern English plays, dramatic elements that he is surprised to find little s
This is a study of the role of disguise devices in early modern English drama that focuses on the theatrical or material performance of spectacle of disguise, which Hyland (early modern literature and
Hopkins (English, Sheffield Hallam U.) examines how drama dealt with complexities surrounding the question of who would succeed Elizabeth I on the English throne, for example uncertainty about what ex
North American scholars of English literature focus on the representational gaps created by theatrical materiality and performance, to probe for a deeper understanding of how references to contemporar
Arising from a seminar at the 2008 meeting of the Shakespeare Association of America, this volume contains 14 contributed chapters, a lengthy introduction by the editors, and an afterword. The focus i
Rowland (drama and English, U. of York, England) argues that the difficulty of establishing the relationship between text and performance is more acute with Heywood (1573-1641) than with any of his co
The efforts in Jacobean England to unify England and Scotland included dynastic marriages, which were carried out with extraordinary preparation and pomp, as described in this superb study by Curran (
Drawing on the generic and mythic strength of comedy and the theories of Bakhtin, Bergson, and Hobbes, this book identifies the radical nature of early modern English comedy. The satirical comedic act
Considering major works by Kyd, Shakespeare, Middleton and Webster among others, this book transforms current understanding of early modern revenge tragedy. Examing the genre in light of historical re
Offering evidence of women's extensive contributions to the theatrical landscape, this volume sharply challenges the assumption that the stage was 'all male' in early modern England. The editors and c
The issue of early modern European women on the professional stage is profoundly linked with, and usefully considered in conjunction with, the performative marketing of medicine and cosmetics, suggest
Among Shakespeare's most neglected plays, says King (English and drama, Queen U. of London), Cymbeline is not a courtly romance, a royalist apology, or a warning about Scots, as previous critics would
