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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... Iago man- ages to shift the blame for starting a fight in the streets onto Cassio ; Othello then accepts Iago's version without question and dismisses Cas- sio . Even more sinister is the lengthy and remarkable " seduction , " as Iago ...
... Iago's anger . Whenever we grapple with the tantalizing question of his motivation to destroy the marriage of Othello and Desdemona , we return to the sexual imagery that dominates his language . For instance , to his dupe , Roderigo ...
... Iago is that he never clarifies his goals . In the opening of the play , he refers to " my peculiar end ” ( I , i ... Iago's treachery has been revealed , his final words are terrifyingly appropriate : Demand me nothing : what you know ...