Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
More virtually does Shakespeare's work for him': Dogmas of the More Myth PART I: SHAKESPEARE'S ATTEMPTS TO CREATE DE CASIBUS REVERSALS 'Then York, be still awhile, till time do serve': Shakespeare's dependence upon narrative Techniques Exploiting the Ricardian shock: Hastings, Clarence, and Edward Crafting the 'Rusty Armor' Charade (3.5.1-109) the Insurrection that Hoodwinks the Mayor PART II: SHAKESPEARE'S DISCOVERY OF THE DRAMATIC POTENTIALS OF THE PERSUADING SCENE 'For on that ground I'll make a holy descant-' Two Con Men Show how their Thespian Skills Brought Richard's Cause 'to a happy issue' 'Was ever woman in this humor woo'd?': Richard's Boast of his Prowess as Lover and Playwright 'The most arch act of piteous massacre/That ever yet this land was guilty of': How Shakespeare's Method of Exposing Richard Differs from More's 'To her go I, a jolly thriving wooer' - Again A Re-Evaluation of the Second Wooing Scene in 4.4.199-431 PART III: CLOSURE AND CONCLUSIONS Meanwhile, Back at the Tetralogy...Reversal and Retribution at Bosworth Field: Closure in Act 5
Synopsis
The Halletts' investigation differs from anything that has been written about the relationship between Thomas More and William Shakespeare in that it approaches the subject from a dramaturgical point of view. This book defines, in specific terms, what Shakespeare learned from his study of More's History and how he learned it.