Shakespeare and the New Disease: The Dramatic Function of Syphilis in "Troilus and Cressida", "Measure for Measure" and "Timon of Athens" (American ... Series Iv: English Language & Literature) - Hardcover

Bentley, Greg W.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0820408174 ISBN 13: 9780820408170

Publisher: Peter Lang AG, 1989

Synopsis

This book makes several important contributions to our knowledge of Shakespeare and the Renaissance. First, Bentley's close and thorough analysis of the references to syphilis in Troilus and Cressida, Measure for Measure, and Timon of Athens illustrates how Shakespeare not only transforms a medical topic into imaginative literature, but more specifically it demonstrates how Shakespeare employs this image cluster to define and reveal major themes in the plays - sexual commercialism, slander, and usury, respectively. Second, Bentley's investigation of the imagery and themes in these plays provides evidence about their generic identity: rather than view these plays as traditional comedies or even problem plays, they should be looked at as comic or tragic satires.

Edition details

• Publisher: Peter Lang AG
• Publication date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0820408174
• ISBN 13: 9780820408170
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 252