Shakespeare

What makes Shakespeare''s late plays so special? Through detailed analyses of key passages Kate Aughterson shows how these plays portray a world of political intrigue familial chaos and crisis which teeters continually into tragedy: a world we can recognise today.Part I of this engaging study:- Provides stimulating close readings of extracts from The Tempest The Winter''s Tale Cymbeline and Pericles- Examines major topics such as openings endings familial roles stage properties spectacle and song- Offers suggestions for further work and summarizes the methods of analysisPart II supplies essential background material including:- Detailed accounts of Shakespeare''s literary and historical contexts- Samples from important critical works and performancesWith a helpful Further Reading section this illuminating volume is ideal for anyone who wishes to appreciate and explore Shakespeare''s late plays for themselves.