Sunday, February 6, 2011

The Elizabethan World Picture

American Edition
British Edition

There is a short extraordinary book with this title, written by E.M.W. Tillard.  I highly recommend it to those of you who are interested either in the history of the times or the commonly held cultural beliefs expressed in Shakespeare's plays.  It is a challenging book for high school students, but a book nearly always used in college level Shakespeare courses.  I highly recommend it to you.  I believe we have a few copies of it it our school library.  Don't be daunted by the vast knowledge and scholarship of the author. Commit yourself to reading at least the first chapter and it will open your eyes to latent English Renaissance content in Shakespeare's play in a most miraculous manner!  In so doing, it will improve your understanding of what you are reading.

7 comments:

  1. Would you like us to give a presentation to the class about this book?

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  2. Thank you Brandon, but I would rather you use your time rereading the text; KING LEAR is a very demanding play for readers. If you have the time to, read Tillard's book for you own edification. In class I have, and will continue to touch on things mentioned in his book.

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  3. I actually want to buy this book. How much will it cost?

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  4. I'll see if I can take the copies from the library. If so, I'll give one to you. For the time being please place most of your effort into getting further into KING LEAR. Okay?

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  5. Yes of course. I am actually more interested in King Lear now because I've actually taken your advice by reading it OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. Haha

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  6. I am very interested in the Elizabethian times sir! I would love to read this!

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  7. I am very interested in reading this. In fact my sister has the american edition! I should start reading it!

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