Shakespeare: Hamlet (Landmarks of World Literature (New))

In this useful guide, Paul Cantor provides a clearly structured introduction to Shakespeare's most famous tragedy. Cantor examines Hamlet's status as tragic hero and the central enigma of the delayed revenge in the light of the play's Renaissance context. He offers students a lucid discussion of the dramatic and poetic techniques used in the play. In the final chapter he deals with the uniquely varied reception of Hamlet on the stage and in literature generally from the seventeenth century to the present day. Chronology Part I. Hamlet and the Renaissance: 1. The Renaissance context 2. Heroism in the Renaissance epic tradition 3. Tragedy and Renaissance man 4. The place of Hamlet in Shakespeare's career Part II. The Tragedy of Hamlet: 5. The problem of Hamlet 6. Hamlet and the revenge play tradition 7. Hamlet and classical heroism 8. Hamlet and Christianity 9. Hamlet as tragic hero 10. The end of Hamlet Part III. Dramatic and Poetic Technique: 11. The drama of Hamlet 12. The language of Hamlet Part IV. The Heritage of Hamlet: 13. Hamlet in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries 14. Hamlet in the nineteenth century 15. The comic Hamlet 16. Hamlet in the twentieth century Works cited Guide to further reading. In This Useful Guide, Paul Cantor Provides A Structured Introduction To Shakespeare's Most Famous Tragedy. Cantor Examines Hamlet's Status As Tragic Hero And The Central Enigma Of His Delayed Revenge In Light Of The Play's Renaissance Context. He Offers Students A Discussion Of The Dramatic And Poetic Techniques Used In The Play. In The Final Chapter He Deals With The Varied Reception Of Hamlet On The Stage And In Literature Generally From The Seventeenth Century To The Present Day.--book Jacket. 1. Hamlet And The Renaissance -- 2. The Tragedy Of Hamlet -- 3. Dramatic And Poetic Technique -- 4. The Heritage Of Hamlet. Paul A. Cantor. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 93-94). Ever since nineteenth-century historians such as Jules Michelet and Jacob Burckhardt began elaborating a systematic concept of the Renaissance, the idea has proved controversial.