Early Shakespeare, 1588–1594

Rory Loughnane, Andrew J. Power

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781108495240
• eBook ISBN:
  9781108852487
• Topic: Literature
• Subtopic: English Literary Criticism
• Index: Literature

Early Shakespeare, 1588–1594 draws together leading scholars of text, performance, and theatre history to offer a rigorous re-appraisal of Shakespeare's early career. The contributors offer rich new critical insights into the theatrical and poetic context in which Shakespeare first wrote and his emergence as an author of note, while challenging traditional readings of his beginnings in the burgeoning theatre industry. Shakespeare's earliest works are treated on their own merit and in their own time without looking forward to Shakespeare's later achievements; contributors situate Shakespeare, in his twenties, in a very specific time, place, and cultural moment. The volume features essays about Shakespeare's early style, characterisation, and dramaturgy, together with analysis of his early co-authors, rivals, and influences (including Lyly, Spenser and Marlowe). This collection provides essential entry points to, and original readings of, the poet-dramatist's earliest extant writings and shines new light on his first activities as a professional author.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half-title page
• Title page
• Copyright page
• Contents
• List of Tables
• Notes on Contributors
• Acknowledgements
• Introduction Beginning with Shakespeare
• Chapter 1 Shakespeare and the Idea of Early Authorship
• Chapter 2 Collaboration and Shakespeare’s Early Career
• Chapter 3 The Language and Style of Early Shakespeare
• Chapter 4 Shakespeare’s Early Verse Style: Titus Andronicus, Venus and Adonis, Arden of Faversham
• Chapter 5 Early Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Narrative Theory: Arden of Faversham and (the) Franklin’s Tale
• Chapter 6 Poetry, Counsel, and Coercion in Shakespeare’s Early History Plays
• Chapter 7 John Lyly and Shakespeare’s Early Career
• Chapter 8 Spenser and Shakespeare: Bards of a Feather?
• Chapter 9 Arden of Faversham, Richard Burbage, and the Early Shakespeare Canon
• Chapter 10 Boy Parts in Early Shakespeare
• Chapter 11 The Origins of Richard Duke of York
• Chapter 12 Early Shakespeare and the Authorship of The Taming of the Shrew
• Chapter 13 Who Read What When?
• Appendices
• Select Bibliography
• Index