Tyrant : Shakespeare on politics

Resource Information

The work Tyrant : Shakespeare on politics represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in University of Missouri-St. Louis Libraries. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

Label

Tyrant : Shakespeare on politics

Title remainder

Shakespeare on politics

Statement of responsibility

Stephen Greenblatt

Creator

• Greenblatt, Stephen, 1943-

Author

• Greenblatt, Stephen, 1943-

Subject

• Dictators in literature
• LITERARY CRITICISM / Shakespeare
• POLITICAL SCIENCE / Political Ideologies / Fascism & Totalitarianism
• Power (Social sciences) in literature
• Dictators in literature
• Power (Social sciences) in literature
• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Criticism and interpretation
• Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616 -- Political and social views
• Power (Social sciences) in literature
• Dictators in literature

Language

eng

Summary

"As an aging, tenacious Elizabeth I clung to power, a talented playwright probed the social causes, the psychological roots, and the twisted consequences of tyranny. In exploring the psyche (and psychoses) of the likes of Richard III, Macbeth, Lear, Coriolanus, and the societies they rule over, Stephen Greenblatt illuminates the ways in which William Shakespeare delved into the lust for absolute power and the catastrophic consequences of its execution. Cherished institutions seem fragile, political classes are in disarray, economic misery fuels populist anger, people knowingly accept being lied to, partisan rancor dominates, spectacular indecency rules--these aspects of a society in crisis fascinated Shakespeare and shaped some of his most memorable plays. With uncanny insight, he shone a spotlight on the infantile psychology and unquenchable narcissistic appetites of demagogues--and the cynicism and opportunism of the various enablers and hangers-on who surround them--and imagined how they might be stopped. As Greenblatt shows, Shakespeare's work, in this as in so many other ways, remains vitally relevant today."--Dust jacket

Cataloging source

DLC

Dewey number

822.3/3

Index

index present

LC call number

PR3069.D53

LC item number

G73 2018

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography