Shakespeare for freedom
Subtitle: why the plays matter
By: Ewan Fernie
Published: 2017
Language: eng
Number of pages: 327
ISBN-13: 9781107130852
Copyright date: 2017
Subjects: Criticism and interpretation; Influence; Liberty in literature
Description: "Shakespeare for Freedom presents a powerful, plausible and political argument for Shakespeare's meaning and value. It ranges across the breadth of the Shakespeare phenomenon, offering a new interpretation not just of the characters and plays, but also of the part they have played in theatre, criticism, civic culture and politics. Its story includes a glimpse of 'Freetown' in Romeo and Juliet, which comes to life in the 1769 Stratford Jubilee; the Shakespearean careers of the Leicester Chartist, Cooper, and the Hungarian hero, Kossuth; Hegel's recognition of Shakespearean freedom as the modern breakthrough; its fatal effects in America; the disgust it inspired in Tolstoy; its rehabilitation by Ted Hughes, and its obscure centrality in the 2012 Olympics. Ultimately, it issues a positive Shakespearean prognosis for freedom as a vital (in both senses), unending struggle. Shakespeare for Freedom shows why Shakespeare has mattered for four hundred years, and why he still matters today."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Reclaiming Shakespearean freedom; title: Shakespeare means freedom; title: 'Freetown!' (Romeo and Juliet); title: Freetown-upon-Avon; title: Freetown-am-Main; title: Free artists of their own selves!; title: Freetown philosopher; title: Against Shakespearean freedom; title: The freedom of complete being.