Shakespeare, Ecology and Adaptation

How can we tune into the ecological dynamics of Shakespeare’s plays? How can we adapt those plays to address current environmental crises?

This is the first book to fuse Shakespearean ecocriticism with adaptation studies. It is a single critical and contextual resource for students embarking on an in-depth exploration of ecological approaches to Shakespeare and adaptation, providing both critical insight into adaptive performance practices and accessible contextual information on the field of ecocriticism and early modern environmental cultures.

This guide offers:

- Primary texts from the early modern period to the present, covering themes such as weather, botany, agriculture, fertility, land rights, animal and human relationships, metamorphosis and adaptation;
- A focus on 3 of the most studied and adapted plays, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, King Lear and The Tempest, as a basis for the wider application of ecological adaptive principles to Shakespeare;
- A full range of environmental references in each play through innovative Eco-Tables;
- Concise summaries of literary ecocriticism in relation to each key text;
- Sustained attention to performance and creative writing as ecocritical interventions;
- The first dedicated chapter in the field offering conceptual and practical resources for staging your own Shakespearean eco-adaptation;
- A glossary of key terms and links to resources;
- An accompanying companion website featuring additional resources.

Shakespeare, Ecology and Adaptation: A Practical Guide provides a pedagogic pathway and a ready-made syllabus for teachers. It is also an indispensable resource for theatre directors, designers and dramaturgs seeking inspiration for the environmentally engaged productions and adaptations the future demands of us.