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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... battle , char- acters run off and onstage , seemingly out of control , as rumors of the deaths of various soldiers swirl about . First Cassius is discovered dead , then his ally Titinius ( V , iii , 90–93 ) , and gradually bodies drop ...
... battle . ( I , i , 125–129 ) Courageous , yet noble , Talbot carries himself in a civilized manner through an uncivilized series of episodes . For instance , he speaks mov- ingly about the slaying of a dear comrade , Bedford : A braver ...
... battle takes center stage , when a young man drags in the body of a soldier he has killed , only to realize that the corpse is that of his own father ( II , v , 55–70 ) . At this sight , the weak Henry VI helplessly reflects on the ...