Title: Shakespeare : the seven ages of human experience /
Authors: Bevington, David M.
Publisher: Blackwell Pub.,
Year: 2005
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, Criticism and interpretation.; Maturation (Psychology) in literature.; Human beings in literature.; Aging in literature.
Abstract: "What makes Shakespeare great? Why do we still read and perform his works? In this introduction, David Bevington argues that Shakespeare continues to live among us today because his representations of the human condition are believable, endearing, and touchingly human. The book is structured around Shakespeare's arc of human life from infancy and childhood to adulthood, advancing age, and eventual death, as set out by Jaques in the 'Seven Ages of Man' speech from As You Like It."--BOOK JACKET.
Contents: 1. All the world's a stage : poetry and theatre -- 2. Creeping like snail : childhood, education, early friendship, sibling rivalries -- 3. Sighing like furnace : courtship and sexual desire -- 4. Full of strange oaths and bearded like the pard : the coming-of-age of the male -- 5. Jealous in honour : love and friendship in crisis -- 6. Wise saws : political and social disillusionment, humankind's relationship to the divine, and philosophical scepticism -- 7. Modern instances : misogyny, jealousy, pessimism, midlife crisis -- 8. The lean and slippered pantaloon : ageing fathers and their daughters -- 9. Last scene of all : retirement from the theatre -- 10. Shakespeare today.