Shakespeare, Objects and Phenomenology

This book explores ways in which Shakespeare's writing strategies shape our embodied perception of objects both real and imaginary in four of his plays. Taking the reader on a series of perceptual journeys, it engages in an exciting dialogue between the disciplines of phenomenology, cognitive studies, historicist research and modern acting techniques, in order to probe our sentient and intuitive responses to Shakespeare's language. What happens when we encounter objects on page and stage; and how we can imagine that impact in performance? What influences might have shaped the language that created them; and what do they reveal about our response to what we see and hear? By placing objects under the phenomenological lens, and scrutinising them as vital conduits between lived experience and language, this book illuminates Shakespeare's writing as a rich source for investigation into the way we think, feel and communicate as embodied beings.

Addresses the lack of studies on objects in Shakespeare over the years Views Shakespeare's language as inextricably bound up with our own experience of objects in his plays Engages the reader in an intense exploration of the relationship between object and language in the plays, examining the way the texts are written to shape our perception of objects

Autorentext
Susan Sachon is Honorary Research Associate at Royal Holloway, University of London, UK. She completed her PhD at Royal Holloway, University of London, in 2013. She has directed over 40 productions locally, including Shakespeare plays, owned a successful part-time theatre school for young people for over 20 years, and runs Shakespeare workshops where she also coaches students for exams and auditions.

Klappentext

This book explores ways in which Shakespeare s writing strategies shape our embodied perception of objects both real and imaginary in four of his plays. Taking the reader on a series of perceptual journeys, it engages in an exciting dialogue between the disciplines of phenomenology, cognitive studies, historicist research and modern acting techniques, in order to probe our sentient and intuitive responses to Shakespeare s language. What happens when we encounter objects on page and stage; and how we can imagine that impact in performance? What influences might have shaped the language that created them; and what do they reveal about our response to what we see and hear? By placing objects under the phenomenological lens, and scrutinising them as vital conduits between lived experience and language, this book illuminates Shakespeare s writing as a rich source for investigation into the way we think, feel and communicate as embodied beings.

Inhalt

1. Introduction: Shakespeare and Phenomenology.- 2. Shakespeare and Cognitive Play.- 3. Macbeth: Objects and Illusion.- 4. King Lear: Illusion and Perspective.- 5. Titus Andronicus and Henry V.- 6. Conclusion.