The Plays of Shakespeare: A Thematic GuideTouching viewers and readers with his presentation of social, moral, and political issues, Shakespeare holds ageless and unequaled appeal primarily because of the universal themes at the heart of his dramatic works. Shakespeare scholar Victor Cahn takes a unique approach to exploring the plays by identifying and explicating the themes that recur throughout the canon. Written in lively language, each of the 35 essays explores a core theme or topic and discusses its implications in several key plays in which it figures prominently. This user-friendly guide not only allows readers to better understand the significance of concepts such as power, politics, marriage or money; the organization by theme also helps users to compare and contrast these important topics across relevant plays. Cahn draws vivid connections between related works of Shakespeare, but just as importantly, enlightens readers as to the pertinence of these themes in contemporary life. |
From inside the book
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... Hamlet's political disenfranchisement and emotional tur- moil . These issues are compounded when the Ghost , old Hamlet , con- fronts his son with the reality of the murder Claudius committed : taking his brother's life . Hamlet is now ...
... Hamlet . The relationship in question is be- tween Hamlet and Horatio , who first appear together at the end of Hamlet's first brooding soliloquy : " But break my heart , for I must hold my tongue " ( I , ii , 159 ) . His isolation from ...
... Hamlet assumes that his task is to prove himself to his father by killing Claudius , his father's brother , and now husband to Hamlet's mother , Gertrude . Hamlet initially seems eager to please the Ghost : Haste me to know't , that I ...