Description

Book Synopsis
What is the nature of romantic love and erotic desire in Shakespeare''s work? In this erudite and yet accessible study, David Schalkwyk addresses this question by exploring the historical contexts, theory and philosophy of love. Close readings of Shakespeare''s plays and poems are delivered through the lens of historical texts from Plato to Montaigne, and modern writers including Jacques Lacan, Jean-Luc Marion, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Jacques Derrida, Alain Badiou and Stanley Cavell. Through these studies, it is argued that Shakespeare has no single or overarching concept of love, and that in Shakespeare''s work, love is not an emotion. Rather, it is a form of action and disposition, to be expressed and negotiated linguistically.

Trade Review
'Schalkwyk's arguments are closely reasoned and insightful … Essential.' C. Baker, Choice

Table of Contents
Introduction. 1. Shaping fantasies; 2. Love's troubled consummations; 3. The impossible gift of love; 4. The finality of the you; 5. Is love an emotion?

Shakespeare Love and Language

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    A Paperback by David Schalkwyk

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      Book details

      Publisher Cambridge University Press
      Published 1/23/2022 12:06:00 AM
      ISBN-13 9781316637951
      978-1316637951
      ISBN-10 1316637956
      Also in:
      ELT & Literary Studies Literary studies: c 1600 to c 1800 Literary studies: plays and playwrights Philosophy

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      What is the nature of romantic love and erotic desire in Shakespeare''s work? In this erudite and yet accessible study, David Schalkwyk addresses this question by exploring the historical contexts, theory and philosophy of love. Close readings of Shakespeare''s plays and poems are delivered through the lens of historical texts from Plato to Montaigne, and modern writers including Jacques Lacan, Jean-Luc Marion, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Jacques Derrida, Alain Badiou and Stanley Cavell. Through these studies, it is argued that Shakespeare has no single or overarching concept of love, and that in Shakespeare''s work, love is not an emotion. Rather, it is a form of action and disposition, to be expressed and negotiated linguistically.

      Trade Review
      'Schalkwyk's arguments are closely reasoned and insightful … Essential.' C. Baker, Choice

      Table of Contents
      Introduction. 1. Shaping fantasies; 2. Love's troubled consummations; 3. The impossible gift of love; 4. The finality of the you; 5. Is love an emotion?

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