A New History of Early English Drama

These 25 essays by leading theorists and historians chart a paradigmatic shift within the study of pre-17th-century English drama. In contrast to the traditional emphasis on individual authors, the contributors here explore the place of the stage within the larger society.

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These 25 essays by leading theorists and historians chart a paradigmatic shift within the study of pre-17th-century English drama. In contrast to the traditional emphasis on individual authors, the contributors here explore the place of the stage within the larger society, as well as issues of performance and physical space. The essays are organized into three sections: "Early English Drama and Physical Space" examines the settings in which the plays are acted; "Early English Drama and Social Space" juxtaposes the theatre with such contemporary subcultures as the church, the city and the court; and "Early English Drama and Conditions of Performance and Publication" explores a range of material conditions and contexts, from props to printers. A summary of contemporary scholarship and a storehouse of new theoretical information, this work illustrates the complex influence of physical and social elements woven into the texts, and provides an innovative approach to literary studies and cultural history.