Richard Dutton Knihy

The book explores the intricate connection between Shakespeare and the royal court, revealing how this relationship influenced his writing. It delves into how the court's expectations and dynamics shaped iconic plays such as Romeo and Juliet and Hamlet, ultimately crafting them into the beloved versions recognized today. Through this examination, it highlights the interplay between politics, culture, and literature during Shakespeare's time.

Exploring the connections between Ben Jonson's play and the Gunpowder Plot, this analysis delves into the historical context and its influence on the themes and characters within the play. By examining these lesser-known links, the work reveals how the political and social climate of the time shaped Jonson's writing, offering fresh insights into his satirical portrayal of greed and deception. This study enriches the understanding of both the play and the historical event, highlighting their intertwined narratives.

The book explores the complexities of William Shakespeare's professional life and the theatrical world of his time, revealing the contradictions that define his legacy. It examines the duality of Elizabethan actors as both marginalized figures and esteemed performers, while also highlighting Shakespeare's creation of strong female characters in a male-dominated environment. Richard Dutton addresses whether Shakespeare can be viewed as a feminist figure, delving into the significance of his work and its enduring impact on culture and literature.

Set against the backdrop of Queen Mary I's reign, this play explores the dramatic exile of Protestant noblewoman Katherine Willoughby. Drawing from historical accounts, it portrays her perilous journey across Europe, highlighting the struggles of the Reformation era. The narrative features notable figures such as the Oxford Martyrs and the infamous Bishop Bonner, blending tragedy and comedy. The work not only reflects the tensions of its time but also resonates with audiences in early seventeenth-century England, showcasing the enduring impact of its themes.

The book, first published in 1992, delves into significant themes and concepts relevant to its field, offering insights that remain pertinent today. It is published by Routledge, a well-known imprint of Taylor & Francis, which signifies its academic credibility and relevance. The content is likely to engage readers interested in the specific subject matter, providing a blend of historical context and contemporary analysis.

The book provides a thorough analysis of Ben Jonson's career, exploring his contributions to literature and drama. It examines his unique style, themes, and the historical context of his work, offering insights into his influence on contemporary and later writers. Through critical evaluation, it highlights Jonson's significance in the literary canon and his role in shaping English theatre.

This new casebook on A Midsummer Night's Dream traces the response of critical theory to a play peculiarly informed by modern imagination, representation and power, sexual repression and subjective transformation, patriarchal society, class structures and the limits of language. The essays collected here - New Critical, Marxist, feminist, New Historicist, cultural materialist, post-structuralist, performance - orientated and deconstructive - show the range of modern responses to these issues in the text. The introduction and endnotes on individual items elucidate the main themes and methodologies, showing how each item contributes to a vigorous wider debate about the Shakespearean text in modern culture.