Shakespeare and Appropriation

<p>The vitality of our culture is still often measured by the status Shakespeare has within it. Contemporary readers and writers continue to exploit Shakespeare's cultural afterlife in a vivid and creative way. This fascinating collection of original essays shows how writers' efforts to imitate contradict compete with and reproduce Shakespeare keep him in the cultural conversation.<br> The essays:<br> * analyze the methods and motives of Shakespearean appropriation<br> * investigate theoretically the return of the repressed author in discussions of Shakespeare's cultural function<br> * put into dialogue theoretical and literary responses to Shakespeare's cultural authority<br> * analyze works ranging from nineteenth century to the present and genres ranging from poetry and the novel to Disney movies.</p>