Description
Book SynopsisThe contributors to this volume share the belief that Shakespeare is the author who most effectively sets forth the multifarious pagaent of politics. They discuss a broad range of Shakespeare's dramatic poetry from the perspective of the political theorist.
Trade ReviewThis superb collection of essays on Shakespeare's plays combines rich analysis of dramatic detail with insight into political rule, ambition, and love. By illustrating universal themes in particular political and historical contexts, ^RShakespeare's Political Pageant^I demonstrates Aristotle's claim that poetry is more philosophic than history. Alulis and Sullivan have given us a major contribution to the growing field of politics and literature. -- Mary P. Nichols, Fordham University
Diverse as these essays are in many respects, they are alike in their assumption that Shakespeare's understanding of human things is inseparable from his understanding of politics. The authors succeed in making Shakespeare's political wisdom manifest because they perceive that the plays convey his knowledge not in isolated speeches but through action and speech so concerted as to guide us through a dramatic argument. -- John Alvis, professor and director, American Studies Program, University of Dallas
. . . each essay contributes to the reader's understanding of Shakespeare's view of human life in its various endeavors. * Perspectives on Political Science *
In every case the close reading is beautifully subordinated to the major claim of the essay. Because diverse details anyone who teaches these plays or directs them on stage will appreciate this collection's emphasis on formal coherence. -- Ian MacInnes * Shakespeare Quarterly, Vol. 50, No. 1, Spring 99 *
The essays . . . interpret Shakespeare's plays in refreshingly broad contexts of political philosophy rather than within the comparatively narrow limits of politics defined by cultural materialists and new historists. The collection offers at once spacious and penetrating readings. -- Arthur Kirsch, University of Virginia
Table of ContentsChapter 1 Preface Chapter 2 Acknowledgments Part 3 Part I: Comedies Chapter 4 The New Medea: On Portia's Comic Triumph in The Merchant of Venice Chapter 5 Fathers and Children: Matter, Mirth, and Melancholy in As You Like It Chapter 6 Wisdom and the Law: Thoughts on the Political Philosophy of Measure for Measure Chapter 7 The Portrait of Athens in A Midsummer Night's Dream Part 8 Part II: Histories Chapter 9 Coming Home: The Political Settlement in Shakespeare's King John Chapter 10 The Education of Hal: Henry IV, Parts One and Two Chapter 11 Princes to Act: Henry V as the Machiavellian Prince of Appearance Part 12 Part III: Tragedies. "This is Venice": Politics in Shakespeare's Othello Chapter 13 King Lear: The Tragic Disjunction of Wisdom and Power Chapter 14 The Relation of Thought and Action in Macbeth Chapter 15 Courage and Impotence in Macbeth Chapter 16 "With Himself at War": Shakespeare's Roman Hero and the Republican Tradition Chapter 17 Index
