Shakespeare's Literary Authorship

By Patrick Cheney | Publisher: Cambridge University Press

About the book

Re-situating Shakespeare as an early modern professional, in this book Patrick Cheney views him not simply as a man of the theatre, but also as an author with a literary career. Rather than present himself as a national or laureate poet, as Spenser does, Shakespeare conceals his authorship through dramaturgy, rendering his artistic techniques and literary ambitions opaque. Accordingly, recent scholars have attended more to his innovative theatricality or his indifference to textuality than to his contribution to modern English authorship. By tracking Shakespeare's 'counter-laureate authorship', Cheney builds upon his previous study on Shakespeare and literary authorship, and demonstrates the presence throughout the plays of sustained intertextual fictions about the twin media of printed poetry and theatrical performance. In challenging Spenser as England's National Poet, Shakespeare reinvents English authorship as a key part of his legacy.

Editions of Shakespeare's Literary Authorship

Hardcover
ISBN 9780521881661
Paperback
ISBN 9781107404595

Read an Excerpt

Re-situating Shakespeare as an early modern professional, in this book Patrick Cheney views him not simply as a man of the theatre, but also as an author with a literary career. Rather than present himself as a national or laureate poet, as Spenser does, Shakespeare conceals his authorship through dramaturgy, rendering his artistic techniques and literary ambitions opaque. Accordingly, recent scholars have attended more to his innovative theatricality or his indifference to textuality than to his contribution to modern English authorship. By tracking Shakespeare's 'counter-laureate authorship', Cheney builds upon his previous study on Shakespeare and literary authorship, and demonstrates the presence throughout the plays of sustained intertextual fictions about the twin media of printed poetry and theatrical performance. In challenging Spenser as England's National Poet, Shakespeare reinvents English authorship as a key part of his legacy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Shakespeare's Literary Authorship about?

Re-situating Shakespeare as an early modern professional, in this book Patrick Cheney views him not simply as a man of the theatre, but also as an author with a literary career. Rather than present himself as a national or laureate poet, as Spenser does, Shakespeare conceals his authorship through dramaturgy, rendering his artistic techniques and literary ambitions opaque. Accordingly, recent scholars have attended more to his innovative theatricality or his indifference to textuality than to his contribution to modern English authorship. By tracking Shakespeare's 'counter-laureate authorship', Cheney builds upon his previous study on Shakespeare and literary authorship, and demonstrates the presence throughout the plays of sustained intertextual fictions about the twin media of printed poetry and theatrical performance. In challenging Spenser as England's National Poet, Shakespeare reinvents English authorship as a key part of his legacy.

What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Shakespeare's Literary Authorship?

Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism > Literary studies: plays and playwrights

Where can I read a sample of Shakespeare's Literary Authorship?

You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780521881661

Who is/are the Author/s of the book Shakespeare's Literary Authorship?

Patrick Cheney

Who is the Publisher of the book Shakespeare's Literary Authorship?

Cambridge University Press

What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?

Shakespeare's Literary Authorship is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780521881661) and paperback(ISBN 9781107404595)