ECU Libraries Catalog

Shakespeare in company / Bart van Es.

Author/creator Van Es, Bart
Other author/creatorOxford University Press.
Format Electronic and Book
Edition1st ed.
Publication InfoOxford : Oxford University Press,
Descriptionxii, 357 p. : ill., maps ; 25 cm.
Supplemental Content Full text available from Oxford Scholarship Online
Supplemental Content Full text available from Oxford Scholarship Online Literature
Subject(s)
Contents Prologue : Shakespeare's early life and the origins of commercial theatre (1576-1592) -- Phase I Shakespeare as conventional poet-playwright (1592-1594) -- Imitation and identity -- The working conditions of the playwright -- Shakespeare as literary dramatist -- Phase II Shakespeare as company man (1594-1599) -- Control over casting -- The events of 1594 -- Relational drama -- Shakespeare's singularity -- Phase III Shakespeare as playhouse investor (1599-1608) -- The Globe partnership -- Robert Armin -- The children's companies -- Richard Burbage -- Phase IV Shakespeare in the company of playwrights again (1608-1614) -- The events of 1608 -- Shakespeare's late style -- Shakespeare and co-authorship.
General note"This book is about two very different kinds of company. On the one hand it concerns Shakespeare's poet-playwright contemporaries, such as Marlowe, Jonson, and Fletcher. On the other, it examines the contribution of his fellow actors, including Burbage, Armin, and Kemp. Traditionally, criticism has treated these two influences in separation, so that Shakespeare is considered either in relation to educated Renaissance culture, or as a man of the theatre. Shakespeare in Company unites these perspectives. Bart van Es argues that Shakespeare's decision, in 1594, to become an investor (or 'sharer') in the newly formed Chamberlain's acting company had a transformative effect on his writing, moving him beyond the conventions of Renaissance dramaturgy. On the basis of the physical distinctiveness of his actors, Shakespeare developed 'relational drama', something no previous dramatist had explored. This book traces the evolution of that innovation, showing how Shakespeare responded to changes in the personnel of his acting fellowship and to competing drama, such as that produced for the children's companies after 1599. Covering over two decades of theatrical history, van Es explores the playwright's career through four distinct phases, ending on the conditions that shaped Shakespeare's late style. Paradoxically, Shakespeare emerges as a playwright unique 'in company'--special, in part, because of the unparalleled working conditions that he enjoyed."--Dust jacket.
Bibliography noteIncludes bibliographical references (p. [315]-342) and index.
Access restrictionAvailable only to authorized users.
Technical detailsMode of access: World Wide Web
Genre/formElectronic books.
LCCN 2013409413
ISBN9780199569311
ISBN0199569312

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