Shakespeare's World: The Tragedies: A Historical Exploration of Literature Contributor(s): King, Douglas (Author) |
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ISBN: 1440857946 ISBN-13: 9781440857942 Publisher: Greenwood OUR PRICE: $68.31 Product Type: Hardcover Published: June 2018 |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Shakespeare - Drama | Shakespeare - History | Europe - Renaissance |
Dewey: 822.33 |
LCCN: 2018014991 |
Series: Historical Explorations of Literature |
Physical Information: 0.9" H x 6.4" W x 9.3" (1.25 lbs) 256 pages |
Themes: - Cultural Region - British Isles |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: Comprising dozens of primary source documents, this book explores Early Modern historical issues reflected in four of Shakespeare's tragedies most commonly taught in secondary schools and universities around the world: Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, and Macbeth. Primary source documents relating to Romeo and Juliet deal with subjects such as dueling, breast-feeding, and the Black Plague. Background discussion of Julius Caesar addresses the influence of Roman culture on Renaissance England; the nature of monarchy; and warfare in Renaissance England, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The backdrop for Hamlet includes the nature of spirits; heaven, hell, and purgatory; the history of revenge tragedy beginning with ancient Greece; and debates over the theater in Shakespeare's time. Macbeth brings the reader into the reign of King James and examines ongoing debates over the dangers of witchcraft; the crime of the century, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605; and the Macbeth curse that has plagued productions of the Scottish Play since its premiere. |