Shakespeare's World - (Historical Explorations of Literature) by Douglas King (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

This analysis of primary documents allows readers to understand Shakespeare's tragedies within the context of historical issues of Renaissance England.

Comprising dozens of primary source documents, this book explores Early Modern historical issues reflected in four of Shakespeare's tragedies most commonly taught in secondary schools and universities around the world: Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Hamlet, and Macbeth.

Primary source documents relating to Romeo and Juliet deal with subjects such as dueling, breast-feeding, and the Black Plague. Background discussion of Julius Caesar addresses the influence of Roman culture on Renaissance England; the nature of monarchy; and warfare in Renaissance England, including the defeat of the Spanish Armada. The backdrop for Hamlet includes the nature of spirits; heaven, hell, and purgatory; the history of revenge tragedy beginning with ancient Greece; and debates over the theater in Shakespeare's time. Macbeth brings the reader into the reign of King James and examines ongoing debates over the dangers of witchcraft; the crime of the century, the Gunpowder Plot of 1605; and the "Macbeth curse" that has plagued productions of the Scottish Play since its premiere.

Review Quotes

"This is a clearly written and easily understood volume that will be helpful to students, and is a good choice for high school, college, and public libraries." --Booklist Online

"Academic libraries will certainly find this useful for numerous literature classes, whether focused on Shakespeare or broader courses on English literature. High schools and public libraries should consider it as well." --ARBA

"This work, indeed the entire series, does an important service for teachers and readers. . . Summing Up: Recommended. Lower- and upper-division undergraduates; general readers." --Choice

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