English Historical Drama, 1500-1660: Forms Outside the Canon

by Teresa Grant, Barbara Ravelhofer

Overview

Many readers today associate the early modern history play with Shakespeare. While not wishing to ignore the influence of Shakespeare, this collection of essays explores other historical drama between 1500 and 1660, covering a wide range of different formats. An introduction provides a survey of current criticism, exploring both early modern and contemporary definitions of the 'history play'. Individual essays in chronological order discuss a wide variety of possible sources for historical drama, ranging from oral traditions to chronicles. They also explore genres outside the canon which think of 'history' in different ways, such as shows, moralities and closet drama.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780230593275
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date:	12/04/2007
Series:	Early Modern Literature in History Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	409 KB

About the Author

JANETTE DILLON is Professor of Drama in the School of English Studies, University of Nottingham, UK
MARK HUTCHINGS is Lecturer in the School of English and American Literature, University of Reading, UK
ANDREW W. TAYLOR is Fellow and Director of Studies in English at Churchill College, Cambridge, UK
MICHAEL ULLYOT is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Calgary, Canada

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements     viii
Notes on the Contributors     ix
Introduction   Teresa Grant   Barbara Ravelhofer     1
The Early Tudor History Play   Janette Dillon     32
The Reformation of History in John Bale's Biblical Dramas   Andrew W. Taylor     58
Seneca and the Early Elizabethan History Play   Michael Ullyot     98
History in the Making: the Case of Samuel Rowley's When You See Me You Know Me (1604/5)   Teresa Grant     125
The Stage Historicizes the Turk: Convention and Contradiction in the Turkish History Play   Mark Hutchings     158
News Drama: the Tragic Subject of Charles I   Barbara Ravelhofer     179
Index     202

Editorial Reviews

' English Historical Drama illuminates the enduring link between history and drama in early modern society.' - John Ridpath, Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher