William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra / Kenneth Parker.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Parker, Kenneth, 1932-

Contributor:

Horace Howard Furness Memorial Library (University of Pennsylvania)

Series:

Writers and their work

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Antony and Cleopatra.

Shakespeare, William.

Physical Description:

xii, 104 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.

Other Title:

Antony and Cleopatra

Place of Publication:

Plymouth : Northcorte House in association with the British Council, 2000.

Summary:

Offered here is an historical and critical exposition of commentaries of the play. These are traced back to firmly held assumptions, about theories of literary production and consumption as well as political relations, not yet wholly shed in the present. Dominant traditions (of Cleopatra as 'whore' and 'gypsy'; of Antony as 'deserter'; of 'Rome' as the measure by which it, as well as 'Egypt' should be read) are not simply questioned, but, instead, close reading of the text of the play provides a comprehensive set of alternative readings based upon mostly post-colonial and feminist theories. From this there emerges the concluding argument that, of all Shakespeare's plays, Antony and Cleopatra is the text for our times; one that is 'past the size of dreaming'.

Contents:

1 Introduction: 'Behold and see' 1

2 Theories: 'All length is torture' 4

3 Rome: 'To drench the Capitol' 17

4 Egypt: 'A lass unparalleled' 37

5 Conclusion: 'Past the size of dreaming' 62.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 90-99) and index.

ISBN:

0746308256

OCLC:

42659411