Shakespeare's Ideas

An in-depth exploration, through his plays and poems, of the philosophy of Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind". Written by a leading Shakespearean scholar Discusses an array of topics, including sex and gender, politics and political theory, writing and acting, religious controversy and issues of faith, skepticism and misanthropy, and closure Explores Shakespeare as a great poet, a great dramatist and a "great mind"

Acknowledgements ix 1 A Natural Philosopher 1 2 Lust in Action Shakespeare's Ideas on Sex and Gender 15 3 What is Honour? Shakespeare's Ideas on Politics and Political Theory 42 4 Hold the Mirror Up to Nature Shakespeare's Ideas on Writing and Acting 74 5 What Form of Prayer Can Serve My Turn? Shakespeare’s Ideas on Religious Controversy and Issues of Faith 106 6 Is Man No More Than This? Shakespeare's Ideas on Scepticism, Doubt, Stoicism, Pessimism, Misanthropy 143 7 Here Our Play Has Ending Ideas of Closure in the Late Plays 177 8 Credo 213 Further Reading 218 Index 227