Coming of Age in Shakespeare

by Garber,Marjorie

• ISBN13: 9780415919081
• ISBN10: 0415919088
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 1997-04-29
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Drawing upon the work of anthropologists, psychologists and sociologists, Marjorie Garber examines the rites of passage and maturation patterns--"coming of age"--in Shakespeare's plays. Citing examples from virutally the entire Shakespeare canon, she pays particular attention to the way his characters grow and change at points of personal crisis. Among the crises Garber discusses are: separation from parent or sibling in preparation for sexual love and the choice of husband or wife; the use of names and nicknames as a sign of individual exploits or status; virginity, sexual initiation and the acceptance of sexual maturity, childbearing and parenthood; and, finally, attitudes toward death and dying. In this fascinating and original analysis, Marjorie Garber explores the ways in which the Shakespearean protagonist is challenged to change as his or her circumstances change--to adapt to the world and the people around him, and to come to terms with the nature and finitude of the human condition.

Table of Contents

Preface	vi
1 INTRODUCTION 'thy passages of life'	1	(29)
2 SEPARATION AND INDIVIDUATION 'a divided duty'	30	(22)
3 NOMINATION AND ELECTION 'an adopted name of privilege'	52	(28)
4 PLAIN SPEAKING 'I take thee at thy word'	80	(36)
5 WOMEN'S RITES 'as secret as maidenhead'	116	(58)
6 COMPARISON AND DISTINCTION 'counterfeit presentment'	174	(39)
7 DEATH AND DYING 'this thing of darkness I acknowledge mine'	213	(29)
L'envoy	242	(3)
Index	245