Shakespeare's History

First published in 1947 in the USA. This edition reprints the first UK edition of 1964. Published to critical acclaim, the central argument of this book is that the historical play must be studied as a genre separate from tragedy and comedy. Just as there is in Shakespearean tragedies a dominant ethical pattern of passion opposed to reason, so there is in the history plays a dominant political pattern characteristic of the political philosophy of the age. From the 'troublesome reign' of King John to the 'tragical doings' of Richard III, Shakespeare wove the events of English history into plots of universal interest.

Autorentext

Lily B Campbell

Inhalt

Part 1 1. The point of view2. What are histories?3. The humanistic revival of history4. Classical rhetoric and history5. Renaissance conceptions of history6. History and the reformation7. The influence of continental theories in England8. English history in the sexteenth century9. History versus poetry in renaissance England10. Poetical mirrors of HistoryPart 2 11. Shakespeare's history plays12. The troublesome reign of King John13. An introduction into the division between Lancaster and York14. The unquiet time of Henry IV15. The victorious acts of King Henry VThe Tragical doings of King Richard III