Shakespeare and the Strategies of an Opening

This book contains a detailed introduction to its subject. Part One presents relevant ideas about openings in rhetorical and poetic theory from Aristotle to Caesar Julius Scaliger. Part Two, comprising the main section of the book, explores different strategies for constructing an opening in the Shakespearean plays selected for analysis.

The degree of Shakespeare's concern for a "living theatre," capable of perpetually diversifying in order to maintain its appeal, is immediately apparent in the imaginative opening strategies employed in his plays. In an effort to illuminate them, this book studies the early printed texts for evidence of the opening lines of composition, as well as information supplied by Shakespeare for the actor to translate written word into stage action.

This book contains a detailed introduction to its subject. Part One presents relevant ideas about openings in rhetorical and poetic theory from Aristotle to Julius Caesar Scaliger. In drawing on these ideasand without making too strong a claim about direct or indirect influenceauthor Joel Benabu constructs a theoretical framework for Shakespeare's opening strategies. Part Two, comprising the main section of the book, explores different strategies for constructing an opening in the Shakespearean plays selected for analysis. The conclusion takes a broader perspective on the theory of Shakespeare's construction of openings explored throughout the book.

Autorentext

Joel Benabu earned his Ph.D. from the Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at the University of Toronto in 2010. His research interests include English Renaissance drama (and in particular, Shakespeare s art of theatrical composition), theory of drama and performance, and Ancient rhetoric. He has acted and directed for the theatre.

Klappentext

The degree of Shakespeare s concern for a "living theatre," capable of perpetually diversifying in order to maintain its appeal, is immediately apparent in the imaginative opening strategies employed in his plays. In an effort to illuminate them, this book studies the early printed texts for evidence of the opening lines of composition, as well as information supplied by Shakespeare for the actor to translate written word into stage action. This book contains a detailed introduction to its subject. Part One presents relevant ideas about openings in rhetorical and poetic theory from Aristotle to Julius Caesar Scaliger. In drawing on these ideas and without making too strong a claim about direct or indirect influence author Joel Benabu constructs a theoretical framework for Shakespeare s opening strategies. Part Two, comprising the main section of the book, explores different strategies for constructing an opening in the Shakespearean plays selected for analysis. The conclusion takes a broader perspective on the theory of Shakespeare s construction of openings explored throughout the book.

Inhalt

Acknowledgements Introduction Relevant Terminology about Openings in Classical and Neoclassical Theory Tracing Shakespeare's Composition of an Opening Richard III The Merry Wives of Windsor Twelfth Night Romeo and Juliet Hamlet Othello Macbeth Conclusion Works Cited Index.