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
Results 1-3 of 37
... tries to allay her fears : Cowards die many times before their deaths , The valiant never taste of death but once . Of all the wonders that I yet have heard , It seems to me most strange that men should fear , Seeing that death , a ...
... tries to control feelings that resist restraint , but when he overhears his friends ' conversation in which they pretend to be convinced that Beatrice loves him , Benedick at last yields to passion : I may chance have some odd quirks ...
... tries to maintain ra- tionality : Give me the ocular proof , Or by the worth of mine eternal soul , Thou hadst been better have been born a dog Than answer my wak'd wrath ! ( III , iii , 360-363 ) Before much longer , though , he is ...