
King Lear in our Time
Maynard Mack(Author)
Routledge (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 5. November 2010
Book
Paperback/Softback
138 pages
978-0-415-61225-8 (ISBN)
Description
This edition first published in 1966. Previous edition published 1965 by the University of California Press.
Perhaps more than any other play of Shakespeare's King Lear has been subjected to almost totally contradictory interpretations. In the first historical section of the book the author describes the varying concepts of the play and the distortions of text and even plot that have been widely used. Garrick's playing of Lear as a pathetic and down-trodden old man. Laughton's and Olivier's versions and Herbert Blaus's theory of the 'subtext' are described and analysed. The central section of the book examines the medieval, folk and romance sources of the play. The final chapter illustrates how the action of the play and its pervading violence and evil are not explained in terms of human motive and rely for their meaning more on their effects than their antecedents. An important theme is the play's examination of society and the ties of service and family love.
Perhaps more than any other play of Shakespeare's King Lear has been subjected to almost totally contradictory interpretations. In the first historical section of the book the author describes the varying concepts of the play and the distortions of text and even plot that have been widely used. Garrick's playing of Lear as a pathetic and down-trodden old man. Laughton's and Olivier's versions and Herbert Blaus's theory of the 'subtext' are described and analysed. The central section of the book examines the medieval, folk and romance sources of the play. The final chapter illustrates how the action of the play and its pervading violence and evil are not explained in terms of human motive and rely for their meaning more on their effects than their antecedents. An important theme is the play's examination of society and the ties of service and family love.
Reviews / Votes
'Professor Mack's book must be ranked amongst the most penetrating studies of King Lear' - English'(Professor Mack's) discussion of the play's theatrical history is especially helpful...' - Times Literary Supplement
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Postgraduate and Professional
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 138 mm
Weight
260 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-415-61225-8 (9780415612258)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions



Maynard Mack
King Lear in our Time
Book
12/2004
1st Edition
Routledge
€382.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Maynard Mack
Content
Chapter 1 Actors and Redactors; Chapter 2 Archetype, Parable, and Vision; Chapter 3 Action and World;