Shakespeare's Literary Lives

In this book, Franssen investigates the appearance of Shakespeare as a character in later literary genres, periods and cultures, analysing the political and cultural implications. It will appeal to students of Shakespeare, the novel, film studies, literary reception and creative writing. Taking an international perspective, it will also appeal to readers outside the Anglophone world.

---

This is an entertaining account of Shakespeare's afterlives in fiction. Paul Franssen offers the first sustained analysis of stories and films that involve the character of Shakespeare. Taking a broad international and historical perspective, he shows how fictions about Shakespeare help us understand what he meant to a certain age, nation, or author, and how they have become a vital aspect of the Shakespeare industry. Appearing sometimes as a ghost or time-traveller, fictional Shakespeares have been made to speak to many issues, such as the French Revolution, the Irish conflict, colonialism, the Anglo-American relationship, sexual orientation, race and class. Written in an accessible style, this book will appeal to advanced students as well as academic researchers in Shakespeare studies, film and cultural studies, literary reception and creative writing.