Forbidden matter
Subtitle: religion in the drama of Shakespeare and his contemporaries
By: Gerald M. Pinciss.
Publisher: University of Delaware Press; Associated University Presses
Published: 2000
Place of publication: Newark; London
Language: eng
Number of pages: 142
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Contemporaries.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Religion.; English drama -- Early modern and Elizabethan, 1500-1600 -- History and criticism.; Christianity and literature -- England -- History -- 16th century.; Christianity and literature -- England -- History -- 17th century.; English drama -- 17th century -- History and criticism.; Christian drama, English -- History and criticism.; Religion and literature -- Great Britain -- History -- 17th century.; Religion and literature -- Great Britain -- History -- 16th century.; Religion in literature.
Description: "Forbidden Matter examines some half dozen plays, written between the early 1590s and the early 1630s, to demonstrate how they reflect the religious controversies of their time. Religious issues were a topic of intense interest in early modern England, making them ideal for treatment in the theater. Differences among religious beliefs could provide the kinds of conflicts necessary for drama, and with their shock value as well as their topicality, such plays could attract a wide audience.

Certainly for contemporary playgoers the works analyzed here were far too controversial to be considered merely light entertainment."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 128-138) and index.