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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... moral and theological reasons , the heart of their personal doctrine is the drive for authority . Indeed , throughout the rest of the Henry VI plays , characters constantly switch sides , with their only principle being efficacy , i.e. ...
... morality , 322 ; and mor- tality , 242-43 ; and nature , 258-60 ; and order , 269 ; and supernatural phenomena , 320-22 ... moral- ity , 292 , 297-98 ; and order , 265 ; and power , 292 ; and reason vs. passion , 297-98 ; and venereal ...
... morality , 276 ; and politics , 274- 76 ; and revenge , 306 ; and supernat- ural phenomena , 317-18 Romance : and ending , 68 , 228 ; and fate , 68 ; and father - daughter rela- tionship , 76-77 ; and forgiveness , 103 ; and generations ...