Plays On Women: Anon, Arden of Faversham; Middleton and Dekker, The Roaring Girl; Middleton, A Chaste Maid in Cheapside; Heywood, A Woman Killed with Kindness (Revels Student Editions) [Paperback]

Kathleen McLuskie (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 12, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0719016460 | ISBN-13: 978-0719016462

Based on the original and authoritative Revels texts, Plays on Women brings together four plays that dramatize the lives of women in Shakespeare’s England. Presenting both domestic tragedy and city comedy, the anthology depicts women as witty tricksters and heart-breaking victims, adulteresses and faithful wives. In each play, the women break out of familiar roles, challenging both theatrical and social convention to offer the pleasures of laughter, pathos and suspense. McLuskie's introduction uses the latest interdisciplinary research to explore the dynamic relationship between women, the theatre and the social world. The annotation unravels the complexities of language and performance that sustain the plays’ stunning theatrical power.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kathleen McLuskie is Professor of English at the University of Southampton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Manchester University Press (February 12, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0719016460
• ISBN-13: 978-0719016462
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,487 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful look at Elizabethian Drama, April 10, 2000

By 

SandyLou (State College, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Plays On Women: Anon, Arden of Faversham; Middleton and Dekker, The Roaring Girl; Middleton, A Chaste Maid in Cheapside; Heywood, A Woman Killed with Kindness (Revels Student Editions) (Paperback)

This a very good book to own if you are interested in either depictions of women in drama or simply non-Shakespearian Elizabethian drama. "Arden of Faversham" and "The Roaring Girl" are both excellent examples of the genre. "Arden" is based on the true story of man murdered by his wife and her lover. There are both comic and tragic elements. You will laugh at the exploits of Black Will and Shakebag. "The Roaring Girl" should be required reading for all women's studies classes. The heroine, Moll, dresses in men's clothes, yet is in many ways the most traditonal and moral character. She believes in marrying for love, and men doing their male duties, not gallivanting about in pursuit of pleasure. Don't be concerned about the difficulties of the language; the notes are excellent, and the spellings have been updated.