Shakespeare's Festive Comedy: A Study of Dramatic Form and Its Relation to Social Custom

by Cesar Lombardi Barber, Stephen Greenblatt (Foreword)

In this classic work, acclaimed Shakespeare critic C. L. Barber argues that Elizabethan seasonal festivals such as May Day and Twelfth Night are the key to understanding Shakespeare's comedies. Brilliantly interweaving anthropology, social history, and literary criticism, Barber traces the inward journey--psychological, bodily, spiritual--of the comedies: from confusion, raucous laughter, aching desire, and aggression, to harmony. Revealing the interplay between social custom and dramatic form, the book shows how the Elizabethan antithesis between everyday and holiday comes to life in the comedies' combination of seriousness and levity.

"I have been led into an exploration of the way the social form of Elizabethan holidays contributed to the dramatic form of festive comedy. To relate this drama to holiday has proved to be the most effective way to describe its character. And this historical interplay between social and artistic form has an interest of its own: we can see here, with more clarity of outline and detail than is usually possible, how art develops underlying configurations in the social life of a culture."--C. L. Barber, in the Introduction

This new edition includes a foreword by Stephen Greenblatt, who discusses Barber's influence on later scholars and the recent critical disagreements that Barber has inspired, showing that "Shakespeare's Festive Comedy" is as vital today as when it was originally published.

Genres: Shakespeare, Literary Criticism, Nonfiction, Criticism, History

328 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1972

Reviews

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A major contribution, not just to studies of Shakespeare's comedies, but to Literature studies in general.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first half of this years ago with a sense of weariness, picked it up again last week and read the second half with real excitement. The chapters on Henry IV and on Twelfth Night were particularly unexpectedly great with links to (and sort of beyond) the festive tradition that really worked and really shone new light on the plays.

(I think years ago first half was probably my fault....)

[Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mainly used this book as a reference for my research project, and therefore only focused on MND and every chapter referencing clowns/burlesques. However, I found many of the conclusions very interesting and particularly enjoyed the commentary on the use of own characters as a plot device. good stuff

[Mac · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this monstrosity cover to cover and boy was it a slog. More a reference book than anything else.

If you love contemporary descriptions of rural English seasonal festivals, this is your dream book.

If you love literally anything else, avoid at all costs because it will take you so long to get through that you will have no time left for anything else.

[Stephen Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I generally avoid literary criticism, but this book will genuinely help any reader enjoy the Comedies more. Further, Barber's book is my favorite example of what literary criticism should be. It is not judgmental; it is not an "agree with me or you are wrong" exercise. This book is an appreciation of Shakespeare written for others who love these plays as much as Barber does.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable book with some good sources outside the plays that cast light on the festive significance of Shakespeare's works. The argument shows us how Shakespeare fits into his own time, whilst at the same time allowing us to appreciate the unique qualities that make him stand out.

[amelia]

read chapters 1,2,10