Uses Renaissance drama and contemporary theory to question and illuminate each other. Provides an account of key modern literary theories, presents detailed application of these theories to a range of Renaissance plays, and offers a new way of thinking about the relationship of modern literary theory to its main predecessor, humanism. Theories detailed include semiotics, structuralism, poststructuralism, psychoanalysis, historicism, feminism, and Marxism. Some works discussed are A Midsummer Night's Dream , The Duchess of Malfi , and The Shoemaker's Holiday . Mousley teaches English at De Montfort University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Unlike other introductions to literary theory, this distinctive book offers a sustained discussion of a specific period of English literature. Avoiding the danger of employing theories as templates, the author uses Renaissance drama and contemporary theory to question and illuminate each other. It provides a comprehensive account of key modern literary theories and presents detailed applications of them to a wide range of Renaissance plays. It also offers a new way of thinking about the relationship of modern literary theory to its main predecessor, humanism. Finally, it writes a history, which Renaissance drama and modern theory are seen as sharing, of the antagonisms and attempted reconciliations between signs and psyche, objects and subjects, history and self, and language and the human.
