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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... marry his mother , and despite his parents ' attempts to spare themselves this fate , Oedipus does indeed kill his father , Laius , and marry his mother , Jocasta . The tension of the play is Oedipus's gradual discovery that these ...
... marry a wealthy woman ( I , ii , 75-76 ) . By the end of the play , however , he and Katherine have broken away from such principles and established love on their own mutually satisfying terms . In A Midsummer Night's Dream , Hermia and ...
... marry her . Mariana , once betrothed to Angelo , is allowed to marry him , even though the hypocritical Deputy stays so dislikeable that we wonder why Mariana remains devoted to him . Finally , after thanking his advisor , Es- calus ...