Description
Book SynopsisWhat makes Shakespeare''s late plays so special? Through detailed analyses of key passages, Kate Aughterson shows how these plays portray a world of political intrigue, familial chaos and crisis, which teeters continually into tragedy: a world we can recognise today.Part I of this engaging study:- Provides stimulating close readings of extracts from
The Tempest,
The Winter''s Tale,
Cymbeline and
Pericles- Examines major topics such as openings, endings, familial roles, stage properties, spectacle and song- Offers suggestions for further work and summarizes the methods of analysisPart II supplies essential background material, including:- Detailed accounts of Shakespeare''s literary and historical contexts- Samples from important critical works and performancesWith a helpful Further Reading section, this illuminating volume is ideal for anyone who wishes to appreciate and explore Shakespeare''s late plays for themselves.
Table of ContentsGeneral Editor's Preface A Note on Editions Introduction: Ways of Reading PART I: ANALYSING SHAKESPEARE'S LATE PLAYS 1. Openings 2. Turning Points: Tragedy and Comedy 3. Endings 4. Fathers, Sons and Husbands 5. Mothers, Daughters and Wives 6. Masters, Servants and Slaves: Society and Politics 7. Stage Properties 8. Spectacle and Theatricality 9. Music and Song General Conclusions to Part I PART II: THE CONTEXT AND THE CRITICS Shakespeare's Literary Career Jacobean Contexts Sample Critical Views and Performances Further Reading Index.
