Shakespeare's festive history
Subtitle: feasting, festivity, fasting, and Lent in the second Henriad
By: David Ruiter.
Publisher: Ashgate
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Aldershot, Hampshire, England; Burlington, VT
Language: eng
Number of pages: 204
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Histories.; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Knowledge -- Manners and customs.; Richard II, King of England, 1367-1400 -- In literature.; Henry IV, King of England, 1367-1413 -- In literature.; Henry V, King of England, 1387-1422 -- In literature.; Historical drama, English -- History and criticism.; Fasts and feasts in literature.; Kings and rulers in literature.; Festivals in literature.
Description: "Although the festive elements in Shakespeare's plays have been well-noted since the publication of Barber's Shakespeare's Festive Comedy, until now no attempt has been made to show how aspects of festivity structure the entire four-play sequence of Shakespeare's Second Henriad. The author details how Shakespeare creates historical characters who engineer their supremacy, shore up their popular support, and/or sustain their charisma through manipulation of festive elements, which are found throughout the tetralogy and rooted in the English cultural psyche."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. [191]-199) and index.