Henry V, War Criminal?: And Other Shakespeare Puzzles
Part of 2 in the Oxford World's Classics series
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Author Description
Loose ends and red herrings are the stuff of detective fiction, and under the scrutiny of master sleuths John Sutherland and Cedric Watts Shakespeare's plays reveal themselves to be as full of mysteries as any Agatha Christie novel. Is it summer or winter in Elsinore? Do Bottom and Titania make love? Does Lady Macbeth faint, or is she just pretending? How does a man putrefy within minutes of his death? Is Cleopatra a deadbeat Mum? And why doesn't Juliet ask 'O Romeo Montague, wherefore art thou Montague?'As Watts and Sutherland explore these and other puzzles Shakespeare's genuius becomes ever more apparent. Speculative, critical, good-humoured and provocative, their discussions shed light on apparent anachronisms, performance and stagecraft, linguistics, Star Trek and much else. Shrewd and entertaining, these essays add a new dimension to the pleasure of reading or watching Shakespeare.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates whether the apparent inconsistencies, logical gaps, and unanswered questions within Shakespeare's plays are intentional artistic choices or accidental oversights. Authors Cedric Watts and John Sutherland, both established scholars in English literature, apply the methodology of literary detective work to analyze specific textual anomalies. They argue that these puzzles do not diminish the quality of the works but rather highlight the complexity and enduring nature of Shakespeare's dramatic construction.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of specific textual inconsistencies regarding character behavior, timeline, and plot mechanics.
- Examination of stagecraft, linguistic nuances, and historical context.
- Comparative references to modern pop culture, including Star Trek and detective fiction.
Scope Limits
- The book does not provide a comprehensive biography of Shakespeare or a definitive historical account of the Elizabethan era.
- It focuses on specific, isolated puzzles rather than offering a unified theory of Shakespearean dramaturgy.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and scholars frequently note that the prose is accessible and avoids overly dense academic jargon, making it suitable for both students and general readers. Experts highlight this as a creative approach to literary analysis that encourages a more active and inquisitive engagement with the source material.
Page Count:
240
Publication Date:
2000-06-22
ISBN-10:
0192838792
ISBN-13:
9780192838797
Non-Fiction
Drama
Literary Criticism
Essays
Shakespeare Studies
Community Tags
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