Shakespeare and the history of soliloquies
By: James Hirsh.
Publisher: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press
Published: 2003
Place of publication: Madison, N.J
Language: eng
Number of pages: 470
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Technique.; Soliloquy.; Speech in literature.; English drama -- History and criticism.
Description: "Shakespeare and the History of Soliloquies provides the first systemic and comprehensive account of the conventions governing soliloquies in Western drama from antiquity to the twentieth century. Avoiding anachronistic assumptions that have marred earlier commentaries on soliloquies, the present study is based on a painstaking analysis of the actual practices of dramatists from each age of theatrical history. This investigation has uncovered evidence that refutes longstanding commonplaces about soliloquies in general, about Shakespeare's soliloquies in particular, and especially about the "To be, or not to be" episode."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 435-465) and index.
Table of contents: title: The representation of thought and the representation of speech; title: From antiquity to the middle of the sixteenth century; title: The late sixteenth century and early seventeenth century; title: Shakespeare's soliloquies : the representation of speech; title: Shakespeare's soliloquies : audience address and self-address; title: "To be, or not to be"; title: From the late seventeenth century to the twentieth century; title: Shakespeare's soliloquies transformed; title: "The celebrated soliloquy".