Author Description

"Longman Medieval and Renaissance Library" is a series of critical introductions to key literary and cultural topics from Old English to the late 17th century. Volumes draw on original research and are sensitive to current critical concerns, but they are designed particularly to meet the needs of students and the general reader. This study looks at why Shakespeare frequently recycled particular plot motifs, such as sexual disguise, identical twins and feigned death. By exploring over 20 of Shakespeare's plays, and what they suggest about Renaissance attitudes to creativity, this book enables students to gain a far richer understanding of Shakespeare's working methods, and the comedies in particular. It introduces the student to Renaissance theories of creativity which shaped Shakespeare's approach to writing and shows how he used his sources, illuminating a key aspect of his working methods. It compares over 20 of Shakespeare's plays, from the earlier works such as "The Taming of The Shrew", to the late plays such as "The Tempest", and makes the comedies in particular much more accessible. The book is aimed at A level and undergraduate students and at those taking courses which include Shakespeare as a core subject.