Introductory Criticism?
DiscussionsThe Globe: Shakespeare, his Contemporaries, and Context
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1SeanSullivan
Hello All,
I have been a casual Shakespeare fan for a little while, but am starting to delve a little further into the works. I was wondering, do people have a recommendation for an introductory book of criticism on the Bard? Ideally, I'd like something that gave an overview of the lay of the land of Shakespeare studies.
Thanks in Advance!
I have been a casual Shakespeare fan for a little while, but am starting to delve a little further into the works. I was wondering, do people have a recommendation for an introductory book of criticism on the Bard? Ideally, I'd like something that gave an overview of the lay of the land of Shakespeare studies.
Thanks in Advance!
2skoobdo
I suppose the book, "The Invention of the Human " by Harold Bloom will be a good introductory book of critical criticism of all Shakespeare's plays. There are many critical studies of some Shakespeare's plays by Bloom. Check it out. The books are meant for the students studying his plays for English Literature exam papers at G.C.E."O" and "A" Levels (UK). The "Cliff's Notes" series
have a couple of Shakespeare's literature guidebooks on his well-known and popular plays.
have a couple of Shakespeare's literature guidebooks on his well-known and popular plays.
3MajikMouse
skoobdo, I think the book you are looking for is Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human. That might certainly be a good place to start, and Harold Bloom is certainly a giant in the field of lit crit. My first suggestion, however, would be Will in the World by Stephen Greenblatt. It is an absolutely wonderful, easy to read biography/reading of Shakespeare's works as a whole by one of the more respected critics working today.
Really, as far as "lay of the land" is concerned, it is tough to say. After all, academics are a notoriously fractious bunch, and there are hundreds of movements, counter-movements and counter-counter-movements in play at any time. One other possibility you might consider is to try to get a feel for different voices out there regarding a single play. If your anthology is a good one, it should have a list of "suggested reading" for different elements of Shakespeare's life/culture/time as well as a list for each play. Pick one of the headings and choose a couple of the articles/books listed.
Really, as far as "lay of the land" is concerned, it is tough to say. After all, academics are a notoriously fractious bunch, and there are hundreds of movements, counter-movements and counter-counter-movements in play at any time. One other possibility you might consider is to try to get a feel for different voices out there regarding a single play. If your anthology is a good one, it should have a list of "suggested reading" for different elements of Shakespeare's life/culture/time as well as a list for each play. Pick one of the headings and choose a couple of the articles/books listed.
4SeanSullivan
Thanks for these suggestions. A number of places recommend Will in the World, I'll probably pick that up.
5SeanSullivan
Thanks for these suggestions. A number of places recommend Will in the World, I'll probably pick that up.