King Richard III: Language and Writing

Description

A new type of study aid which combines lively critical insight with practical guidance on the critical writings skills students need to develop in order to engage fully with Shakespeare’s texts. The book’s core focus is on language: both understanding and enjoying Shakespeare’s complex dramatic language, and expanding the student’s own critical vocabulary as they respond to the play. The book explores several different approaches to Shakespeare’s language. It looks at how the subtleties of Shakespeare’s language reveal the thought processes and motivations of his characters, often in ways those characters themselves don’t recognise; it analyses how Shakespeare’s language works within or sometimes against various historical contexts, the contexts of stage performance, of genre and of discourses of his day (of religion, law, commerce, and friendship); and it explores how the peculiarities of Shakespeare’s language often point to broad issues, themes, or ways of thinking that transcend any one character or line of action. Each chapter includes a “Writing Matters” section, giving students ideas and guidance for building their own critical response to the play and the skills to articulate it with confidence. Cover page Halftitle page Series page Title page Copyright page CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS PREFACE Introduction King Richard III in historical context Richard III’s body Form and deformity in Richard King Richard III in criticism Writing matters CHAPTER ONE Language in Print: Words, Lines, Speeches What text is this? King Richard III in print: Quartos and folios Editing the quartos and First Folio Typesetting Reading King Richard III, 1.1.1–41 Determined to prove the villain Rhythm and meter Fearing Richard The player and the audience Writing matters CHAPTER TWO Language and Structure Structure Thomas More’s Richard Thrilling Shakespeare Alternative arc: Prophecies and curses Bustling Margaret’s prophecy Margaret and Richard Case study: Clarence’s dream The princes: Repetition with a difference Women Richmond Richard’s conscience My kingdom for a horse Writing matters CHAPTER THREE Language Through Time Beginnings Fascist Richard Libyan Richard Gulf States Shakespeare Digital Richard Documentary Richard Revisions and transpositions Writing matters CHAPTER FOUR Writing Tips and Topics From his page to yours: Turning reading into writing Your topic Tips on writing Writing topics BIBLIOGRAPHY