Shakespeare's tragic skepticism / Millicent Bell.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Bell, Millicent.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616--Philosophy.

Shakespeare, William.

Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616. Plays--Selections.

Skepticism in literature.

Tragedy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (1 online resource (xvii, 283 p.))

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

New Haven : Yale University Press, c2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Readers of Shakespeare's greatest tragedies have long noted the absence of readily explainable motivations for some of Shakespeare's greatest characters: why does Hamlet delay his revenge for so long? Why does King Lear choose to renounce his power? Why is Othello so vulnerable to Iago's malice? But while many critics have chosen to overlook these omissions or explain them away, Millicent Bell demonstrates that they are essential elements of Shakespeare's philosophy of doubt. Examining the major tragedies, Millicent Bell reveals the persistent strain of philosophical skepticism. Like his contemporary, Montaigne, Shakespeare repeatedly calls attention to the essential unknowability of our world. In a period of social, political, and religious upheaval, uncertainty hovered over matters great and small-the succession of the crown, the death of loved ones from plague, the failure of a harvest. Tumultuous social conditions raised ultimate questions for Shakespeare, Bell argues, and ultimately provoked in him a skepticism which casts shadows of existential doubt over his greatest masterpieces.

Contents:

Front matter

Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. Hamlet, Revenge!

2. Othello's Jealousy

3. ''Unaccommodated'' Lear

4. Macbeth's Deeds

Epilogue

Selected Bibliography

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 279-283).

ISBN:

9786611740771

9781281740779

1281740772

9780300127201

0300127200

OCLC:

1024051222