Shakespeare Among the Courtesans

Prostitution, Literature, and Drama, 1500-1650

Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism, British
Cover of the book Shakespeare Among the Courtesans by Duncan Salkeld, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Duncan Salkeld ISBN: 9781317056676
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 1, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Duncan Salkeld
ISBN: 9781317056676
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 1, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Courtesans - women who achieve wealth, status, or power through sexual transgression - have played both a central and contradictory role in literature: they have been admired, celebrated, feared, and vilified. This study of the courtesan in Renaissance English drama focuses not only on the moral ambivalence of these women, but with special attention to Anglo-Italian relations, illuminates little known aspects of their lives. It traces the courtesan from a wry comedic character in the plays of Terence and Plautus to its literary exhaustion in the seventeenth-century dramatic works of Dekker, Marston, Webster, Middleton, Shirley and Brome. The author focuses especially on the presentation of the courtesan in the sixteenth century - dramas by Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Lyly view the courtesan as a symbol of social disease and decay, transforming classical conventions into English prejudices. Renaissance Anglo-Italian cultural and sexual relations are also investigated through comparisons of travel narratives, original source materials, and analysis of Aretino's representations of celebrated Italian courtesans. Amid these fascinating tales of aspiration, desire and despair lingers the intriguing question of who was the 'dark lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Courtesans - women who achieve wealth, status, or power through sexual transgression - have played both a central and contradictory role in literature: they have been admired, celebrated, feared, and vilified. This study of the courtesan in Renaissance English drama focuses not only on the moral ambivalence of these women, but with special attention to Anglo-Italian relations, illuminates little known aspects of their lives. It traces the courtesan from a wry comedic character in the plays of Terence and Plautus to its literary exhaustion in the seventeenth-century dramatic works of Dekker, Marston, Webster, Middleton, Shirley and Brome. The author focuses especially on the presentation of the courtesan in the sixteenth century - dramas by Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Lyly view the courtesan as a symbol of social disease and decay, transforming classical conventions into English prejudices. Renaissance Anglo-Italian cultural and sexual relations are also investigated through comparisons of travel narratives, original source materials, and analysis of Aretino's representations of celebrated Italian courtesans. Amid these fascinating tales of aspiration, desire and despair lingers the intriguing question of who was the 'dark lady' of Shakespeare's sonnets.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book The Making of Stonehenge by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book The Stockholm School and the Development of Dynamic Method by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Using Words and Things by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Interpretation in Architecture by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Workplace Writing by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Diocletian and the Roman Recovery by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book The Cultures of Economic Migration by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Legal and Ethical Regulation of Biomedical Research in Developing Countries by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Forensic Anthropology Laboratory Manual by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Pedagogy in Poverty by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book English Pronunciation Models in a Globalized World by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Balancing the Secrets of Private Disclosures by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Drylands by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Toward Effective Counseling and Psychotherapy by Duncan Salkeld
Cover of the book Tolley's Managing Fixed-Term & Part-Time Workers by Duncan Salkeld
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy