Beginning Shakespeare

by Lisa Hopkins

'Beginning Shakespeare' introduces students to the study of Shakespeare, and grounds their understanding of his work in theoretical discourses. After an introductory survey of the dominant approaches of the past, seven chapters examine the major current critical approaches to Shakespeare; psychoanalysis, New Historicism, Cultural Materialism, gender studies, queer theory, postcolonial criticism and performance criticism. A further chapter looks at the growing roles of biography, attribution studies and textual studies.

Each chapter analyses the strengths and weaknesses of a particular perspective, allowing students to gain a clear critical purchase on the respective approaches, and to make informed choices between them. Each chapter ends with a list of suggested further reading and interactive exercises based on the key issues raised.

An invaluable introduction, essential for anyone studying Shakespeare, 'Beginning Shakespeare' offers students a map of the current critical practices, and a sense of the possibilities for developing their own approaches.

Genres: Shakespeare, Nonfiction, Plays

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 6, 2005

Reviews

[n]

An excellent reader for those who find William Shakespeare tough to tackle. If you're taking a course on Shakespeare, you want this by your side.

It's not all-inclusive obviously but it gives an insight no version of sparknotes/classic notes will ever provide. If you want to truly understand and appreciate the Shakespeare experience, you need to read this.

Disclaimer: I was very indifferent to Shakespeare before I took a course on Shakespeare and Literary Theory, which is where I read this book. If you're going to have to deal with the guy, make it somewhat bearable: read this book.

[Ronnie]

A decent look that gives a brief overview of the strengths and weaknesses (though mostly the weaknesses, it seemed) of a variety of different modes of academic critiques to Shakespeare.

Not bad overall. Quite informative. I don't have a lot to say about this; I had to read it for class and probably wouldn't have otherwise, but it wasn't as though it were a slough.

[Rosanna Threakall]

First textbook for my Shakespeare module.

On the whole I found this really helpful and it has some gems in terms of quotes. Some of the secondary sources were pretty random.

It was a great introduction to thinking of Shakespeare in a new way looking at politics, gender and adaptations which is the core of my module.

Glad I got it read before class starts week after next :)

[Jessica]

A useful introduction to various critical approaches to Shakespeare - great if that's what you're studying/interested in. A pretty neutral approach to the various types of criticism too, which I always appreciate.