Shakespeare's Demonology - by Marion Gibson & Jo Ann Esra (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Review Quotes

"The authors show passionate attention to Shakespeare's language, a sound grasp of the historical and social background, and devoted bibliographical trawling... This is a delightful and useful volume; in every case the authors discuss the critical literature, provide helpful comment, and supply a splendid, though necessarily selective, bibliography." --Around The Globe

"Modeled on both demonologies and demonological thinking of the time, and in the context of the Bard's canon, this dictionary examines many aspects of magic and the ways in which these aspects informed Shakespeare's images, characterizations, and plots, creating "an entire genre in its own right, with its own politics and rules." Varying in length and alphabetically organized, the comprehensive, informative entries define the terms and offer multiple synonyms in see also references. A comprehensive bibliography and detailed index complete the book, which should interest any reader, scholar, or teacher of Shakespeare. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-level undergraduates through researchers/faculty." --CHOICE

"A valuable book indeed ... The book is rewarding as a source of information and a delightful volume to dip into at leisure ... Gibson and Esra provide an entertaining, amazingly informative volume. Every scholar of Renaissance literature should have a copy at hand." - Shakespeare Newsletter

"With detailed entries on all aspects of Shakespeare's language, characterization, sources, themes, and imagery related broadly to demonology, the book is an invaluable resource for both students and scholars. Its excellent cross-referencing and extensive bibliography of scholarship will be especially useful." - SEL: Studies in English Literature 1500-1900

About the Author

Marion Gibson is Senior Lecturer in English at the University of Exeter, UK. Her publications include Reading Witchcraft (1999), Possession, Puritanism and Print (2006) and Witchcraft Myths in American Culture (2007).

Jo Ann Esra is a Doctoral student at the University of Exeter.