{"product_id":"shakespeares-symmetries-9781476663708","title":"Shakespeares Symmetries","description":"\u003cb\u003eBook Synopsis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e   The organization of Shakespeare''s plays has challenged, even baffled audiences and critics since the 17th century. \u003ci\u003eCymbeline\u003c\/i\u003e has been dismissed as incoherent. \u003ci\u003eHamlet\u003c\/i\u003e is of no clear shape. And \u003ci\u003eAntony and Cleopatra\u003c\/i\u003e bewilders the mind.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   These judgments result from an incomplete understanding of Shakespeare''s constructive practice. It is not the narrative arc alone that organizes the plays but a complex structure of interwoven narrative and thematic actions. While the narrative varies from play to play, thematic actions are invariably created in mirroring pairs around the central scene: A-B-C-B-A.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e   This symmetrical pattern, which can be visualized as an arch with a focal keystone, is the foundation of all of Shakespeare''s mature work, as shown through an analysis of the 26 plays in this book. This arch illuminates the structure of plays that have long been puzzling, demonstrating that they are thematically organized and rigorously crafted. It a\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"McFarland \u0026 Co Inc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51040392446295,"sku":"9781476663708","price":27.54,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0817\/1739\/5799\/files\/9781476663708.jpg?v=1750946601","url":"https:\/\/bookcurl.com\/products\/shakespeares-symmetries-9781476663708","provider":"Book Curl","version":"1.0","type":"link"}