Eternal Bonds, True Contracts: Law And Nature In Shakespeare's Problem Plays Project Muse Upcc Books

In Eternal Bonds, True Contracts, A. G. Harmon closely analyzes Shakespeare's concentrated use of the law and its instruments in what have often been referred to as the problem plays: Measure for Measure, Troilus and Cressida, The Merchant of Venice, and All's Well That Ends Well. Contracts, bonds, sureties, wills—all ensure a changed relationship between parties, and in Shakespeare the terms are nearly always reserved for use in the contexts of marriage and fellowship. Harmon explores the theory and practice of contractual obligations in Renaissance England, especially those involving marriage and property, in order to identify contractual elements and their formation, execution, and breach in the plays. Using both legal and literary resources, Harmon reveals the larger significance of these contractual concepts by illustrating how Shakespeare develops them both dramatically and thematically. Harmon's study ultimately enables the reader to perceive not only these plays but also all of Shakespeare's writing—including his poetry—as integral with, and implicated in, the proliferating legalism that was helping to define early modern English culture. In Eternal Bonds, True Contracts, A.g. Harmon Closely Analyzes Shakespeare's Concentrated Use Of The Law And Its Instruments In What Have Often Been Referred To As The Problem Plays: Measure For Measure, Troilus And Cressida, The Merchant Of Venice, And All's Well That Ends Well. Harmon Explores The Theory And Practice Of Contractual Obligations In Renaissance England, Especially Those Involving Marriage And Property, In Order To Identify Contractual Elements And Their Formation, Execution, And Breach In The Plays. Using Both Legal And Literary Resources, Harmon Reveals The Larger Significance Of These Contractual Concepts By Illustrating How Shakespeare Develops Them Both Dramatically And Thematically. Harmon's Study Ultimately Enables The Reader To Perceive Not Only These Plays But Also All Of Shakespeare's Writing - Including His Poetry - As Integral With, And Implicated In, The Proliferating Legalism That Was Helping To Define Early Modern English Culture.--jacket. The Semblance Of Virtue : Law, Nature, And Shakespeare -- Things Seen And Unseen : The Contracts In Measure For Measure -- Perfection In Reversion : The Mock Contract In Troilus And Cressida -- Matching Meanings : Contracts, Bonds, And Sureties In The Merchant Of Venice -- Lawful Title : Contractual Performance In All's Well That Ends Well -- Nature's Double Name : Beyond The Problem Plays. A.g. Harmon. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 165-190) And Index. "In Eternal Bonds, True Contracts, A. G. Harmon closely analyzes Shakespeare's concentrated use of the law and its instruments in what have often been referred to as the problem plays: Measure for Measure, Troilus and Cressida, The Merchant of Venice, and All's Well That Ends Well. Harmon explores the theory and practice of contractual obligations in Renaissance England, especially those involving marriage and property, in order to identify contractual elements and their formation, execution, and breach in the plays. Using both legal and literary resources, Harmon reveals the larger significance of these contractual concepts by illustrating how Shakespeare develops them both dramatically and thematically. Harmon's study ultimately enables the reader to perceive not only these plays but also all of Shakespeare's writing - including his poetry - as integral with, and implicated in, the proliferating legalism that was helping to define early modern English culture."--BOOK JACKET. ETERNAL BONDS, TRUE CONTRACTS......Page 2 Contents......Page 6 Acknowledgments......Page 8 1. The Semblance of Virtue: Law, Nature, and Shakespeare......Page 10 2. Things Seen and Unseen: The Contracts in Measure for Measure......Page 34 3. Perfection in Reversion: The Mock Contract in Troilus and Cressida......Page 64 4. Matching Meanings: Contracts, Bonds, and Sureties inThe Merchant of Venice......Page 90 5. Lawful Title: Contractual Performance in All’s Well That Ends Well......Page 124 6. Nature’s Double Name: Beyond the Problem Plays......Page 154 CHAPTER 1......Page 174 CHAPTER 2......Page 179 CHAPTER 3......Page 183 CHAPTER 4......Page 185 CHAPTER 5......Page 190 CHAPTER 6......Page 193 Works Cited......Page 194 C......Page 200 H......Page 201 O......Page 202 T......Page 203 Z......Page 204