Shakespeare and Modernity (Accents on Shakespeare) - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0415212014 ISBN 13: 9780415212014

Publisher: Routledge, 2000

Synopsis

This in-depth collection of essays traces the changing reception of Shakespeare over the past four hundred years, during which time Shakespeare has variously been seen as the last great exponent of pre-modern Western culture, a crucial inaugurator of modernity, and a prophet of postmodernity. This fresh look at Shakespeare's plays is an important contribution to the revival of the idea of 'modernity' and how we periodise ourselves, and Shakespeare, at the beginning of a new millennium.

About this title

About the Author

Hugh Grady is Professor of English at Beaver College, Pennsylvania, USA. He is the author of The Modernist Shakespeare (1991) and Shakespeare's Universal Wolf (1996).

Reviews

Since both critical theory and Shakespeare are core elements of most graduate English programs, a new series of books focusing on critical theories on the Bard himself and his works can only be welcome. Routledge has launched its "Accents on Shakespeare" series with six titles and the promise of more to come. Each title takes a critical theory and applies it to some aspect of ShakespeareDsuch as the plays, themes in his work, or the effect of the theory on a reading. Each volume reviewed here begins with an introduction or foreword that frames the critical theory in question and sets the stage for the essays to follow. In seven essays, Philosophical Shakespeares explores such topics as value and meaning and the application of various philosophical schools to Shakespeare. In ten essays, Shakespeare and Modernity looks at identity and self, the rise of nationhood, the start of colonialism in the Western world, and other similar topics. In twelve essays, Marxist Shakespeares ponders such themes as the idea of social class in the plays and the effects of literature on nationalism. The contributors are professors in a range of subject areas, most of whom have previously published works on Shakespeare. Articulate, challenging, and enlightening, this unique, theory-based set of books is recommended for academic libraries.DNeal Wyatt, Chesterfield P.L., VA
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0415212014
• ISBN 13: 9780415212014
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 246
• Editor: Grady Hugh