Second Death: Theatricalities of the Soul in Shakespeare's Drama

About the Book

From the Back Cover
*APPROVED* Illuminates our understanding of the soul as a historically and philosophically vital concept through Shakespearean drama Second Death seeks to revitalise our understanding of the soul as a philosophically profound, theoretically radical and ultimately - and counterintuitively - theatrically realised concept. The book contends that the work of Shakespeare, when closely read alongside early modern cultural and religious writings, helps us understand the soul's historical placement as a powerful paradox: it was essential to establishing humanity but resistant to clear representation. Drawing from current critical theory as well as extensive historical research, Second Death examines works of Shakespearean drama, including The Merchant of Venice, Coriolanus and The Winter's Tale, to suggest that rather than simply being incapable of understanding or physical realisation, the soul expressed itself in complex and subtle modes of performance. As a result, this book offers new ways of looking at identity, theatre and spirituality in Shakespeare's era and in our own. Key Features - Provides understanding of the soul as not only a religious, cultural and literary concept, but also a theatrical one - Discusses genealogy of the philosophical and theological traditions that inform the soul's placement in the early modern era, from Plato to Protestantism - Includes novel readings of key works of Shakespearean drama along with substantial analyses of other Shakespeare plays (King Lear, Hamlet) as well as other early modern works (by John Donne, Christopher Marlowe, John Foxe, John Stow, Thomas Middleton, John Milton and others) - Draws new interdisciplinary connections among theatre studies, Shakespeare, critical theory and religious studies Donovan Sherman is Assistant Professor of English at Seton Hall University. His research explores intersections of Renaissance literature, theatre and performance studies, religion and philosophy. Cover image: Cover design: [EUP logo] edinburghuniversitypress.com ISBN 978-1-4744-1145-5 Barcode