Shakespeare: An Anthology of Criticism and Theory 1945-2000

by Russ McDonald (Editor )

Criticism and Theory is an anthology of the most significant essays and book chapters published on Shakespeare in the second half of the twentieth century.

An anthology of about 50 of the most significant essays and book chapters published on Shakespeare in the second half of the twentieth century. Introduces students to the variety of theoretical positions, thematic claims, methodologies, and modes of argument in Shakespeare criticism over the last 50 years. Critical views represented range from the old style historicism of E.M.W. Tillyard and the new criticism of William Empson to the new historicism of Stephen Greenblatt and the feminist perspective of Catherine Belsey. Pieces are organised into categories of critical thought and introduced in clear language. Most pieces are reproduced in their entirety.

Genres: Nonfiction, Shakespeare, Literary Criticism, Essays, Reference

960 pages, Paperback

First published February 6, 2004

Reviews

[Hailane Salam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well-organized collection for anyone curious about how Shakespeare’s works have been interpreted, and reinterpreted, over the past decades. It brings together many different viewpoints, from traditional history-focused critics to feminist and postmodern thinkers. At times it can be heavy reading, but it’s worth it if you want to see how ideas about Shakespeare have changed and still influence how we read and perform his plays today.

[Michael P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If a book could be designed to provoke my dislike, it would look a lot like this. The clever idea is to assemble a number of essays and chapters from books that explore virtually every area of critical theory currently practiced. The essays are assembled chronologically, so in some cases writers answer previous writers, and always the evolution of a school of critical practice is revealed. Critical theory is bullshit, pretty much all of it, but this fine reader does a fine job of presenting it to the true believers, especially those new true believers.