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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A Thematic Guide Victor L. Cahn. Clerics The world of Shakespeare's plays is Christian . To be sure , several of the plays are set in classical or other non - Christian locales . Yet even in these works , the characters seem to function ...
... Shakespeare's plays , particularly the com- edies , must settle for the best of an assortment of mediocre suitors , while their male counterparts appear lucky to marry as fortunately as they do . Shakespeare's unmistakable implication ...
... Shakespeare's plays who suffer the consequences of a world where evil holds sway : " We are not the first / Who with best meaning have incurr'd the worst " ( V , iii , 34 ) . Despite such words , which imply that her death is imminent ...