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The Cambridge introduction to Shakespeare's history plays / Warren Chernaik.
Table of contents only Available online
View onlineKislak Center for Special Collections - Furness Shakespeare Library (Van Pelt 628) PR2982 .C53 2007
Available
- Format:
- Book
- Author/Creator:
- Chernaik, Warren L.
- Series:
- Cambridge introductions to literature
- Language:
- English
- Subjects (All):
- Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Histories.
- Shakespeare, William.
- Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616.
- Historical drama, English--History and criticism.
- Historical drama, English.
- Great Britain--History--1066-1687--Historiography.
- Great Britain.
- History.
- Historiography.
- Literature and history--Great Britain.
- Literature and history.
- Kings and rulers in literature.
- Middle Ages in literature.
- Physical Description:
- ix, 210 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm.
- Place of Publication:
- Cambridge, UK ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.
- Summary:
- Shakespeare's history plays, as fresh today as when they were written, have had a continuing life in stage and film productions. This lively study examines this tradition as well as giving an account of the critical debate on the plays. Chernaik discusses each history play, and their distinctive characteristics, in turn: the three early Henry VI plays; the perennial stage favourite Richard III; King John; Richard II; Henry IV 1 and 2, famous for the character of Falstaff; Henry V; and Henry VIII. An invaluable introduction to these fascinating and complex plays. Comprehensive treatment of the theatrical and cinematic history of each play, Includes a useful guide to further reading.
- Contents:
- Chapter 1 The uses of history 1
- Renaissance ideas of history 1
- Shakespeare's history plays 7
- The genre and its conventions 11
- Chapter 2 The wars of the critics 15
- Hall, Holinshed, and Tillyard 15
- Shakespearean ambivalence: liberals and sceptics 17
- New Historicism and ideology 18
- Chapter 3 The paper crown: 1, 2, and 3 Henry VI 25
- Henry VI and the critics 23
- Stage history, 1963-2006 25
- 1 Henry VI: brave Talbot and his adversaries 28
- 2 Henry VI: 'Thou art not king' 31
- 3 Henry VI: Tiger's heart 37
- Chapter 4 Determined to prove a villain: Richard III 45
- Stage and screen 45
- Shakespeare and More 49
- Tyrant, seducer, and clown 51
- Deformity 59
- Nemesis 61
- Chapter 5 Gain, be my lord: King John 70
- The uncertainties of King John 70
- Mad world, mad kings 73
- Machiavels and victims 78
- The Bastard's progress 84
- Chapter 6 The death of kings: Richard II 91
- 'I am Richard II. Know ye not that?' 91
- Rival monarchs 97
- The wasteful king 100
- The name of king 103
- 'Down, down, I come like glistering Phaeton' 107
- The lamentable tale of me 111
- Chapter 7 Lord of Misrule: 1 and 2 Henry IV 117
- Kings and clowns 117
- 'When thou art king' 120
- 'The immortal Falstaff' 125
- 'This chair shall be my state' 129
- Honour 135
- Part 2: old age, disease, and death 139
- Chapter 8 Band of brothers: Henry V 144
- The reformed Prince 144
- War and politics 148
- The death of Bardolph: rewriting Henry V 153
- Imaginary forces 160
- Brotherhood and hierarchy 164
- Chapter 9 Epilogue: Henry VIII 168
- Pomp and glory 168
- Farewell to greatness 170
- Kings as gods 174.
- Notes:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 179-202) and index.
- ISBN:
- 9780521855075
- 0521855071
- 9780521671200
- 0521671205
- OCLC:
- 154706328
- Online:
- Contributor biographical information
- Publisher description
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