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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... honor , and have respect to mine honor , that you may believe . ( III , ii , 14-16 ) With no legitimate explanation at hand , Brutus is forced to rely on his own public reputation . The words themselves thus sound hollow , but even more ...
... honor . ( V , ii , 294 ) This tragic excuse reminds us how empty the claim of honor can be . We are reminded again in Coriolanus , in which Martius , the title char- acter , fights not for his own renown , but for that of his mother ...
... honor from the pale - fac'd moon , Or dive into the bottom of the deep , Where fadom - line could never touch the ground , And pluck up drowned honor by the locks ... ( I , iii , 201-205 ) The more Hotspur talks , the more we realize ...