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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... onstage and a human being functioning in the " real world . " In other works , the impli- cations of " acting " resonate more deeply , involving the very attitude with which a character proceeds through life . These figures ...
... onstage from reality . For instance , Bot- tom suggests that someone must take on the role of " Wall " ; otherwise the spectators will have to imagine the chink through which the lovers whisper ( III , i , 67–71 ) . Similarly , he ...
... onstage has any doubt who is in charge . Throughout Henry IV , Parts 1 and 2 , Henry handles the conspiracies against him with equal dispatch . As he says to Worcester in Part 1 before the climactic battle of Shrewbury : So tell your ...