Shakespeare in the Eighteenth Century

In the eighteenth century, Shakespeare became indisputably the most popular English dramatist. Published editions, dramatic performances and all kinds of adaptations of his works proliferated and his influence on authors and genres was extensive. By the second half of the century Shakespeare's status had been fully established, and since that time he has remained central to English culture. Shakespeare in the Eighteenth Century explores the impact he had on various aspects of culture and society: not only in literature and the theatre, but also in visual arts, music and even national identity. The eighteenth century's Shakespeare, however, was not our Shakespeare. In recovering the particular ways in which his works were read and used during this crucial period in his reception, this book, with its many illustrations and annotated bibliography, is the clearest way into understanding this key phase in the reception of the playwright.

Introduction Fiona Ritchie and Peter Sabor; Part I. The Dissemination and Reception of Shakespeare in Print: 1. Editing and publishing Shakespeare Marcus Walsh; 2. Criticism of Shakespeare Jack Lynch; 3. Shakespeare in the reviews Antonia Forster; 4. Shakespeare discoveries and forgeries Brean Hammond; Part II. Shakespeare in Literature: 5. Shakespeare in poetry David Fairer; 6. Shakespeare in the novel Thomas Keymer; 7. Shakespeare in drama Tiffany Stern; Part III. Shakespeare on the Stage: 8. Shakespeare and the London stage Robert Shaughnessy; 9. Shakespeare adaptation Jenny Davidson; 10. Shakespeare and opera Michael Burden; Part IV. Memorializing Shakespeare: 11. Shakespeare and the visual arts Shearer West; 12. Shakespeare and the Stratford Jubilee Kate Rumbold; 13. Shakespeare and English nationalism Kathryn Prince; Part V. Shakespeare in the Wider World: 14. Shakespeare and the French Revolution Frans De Bruyn; 15. Shakespeare and Germany Roger Paulin; 16. Shakespeare and philosophy Philip Smallwood; Reference guide to Shakespeare in the eighteenth century Frans De Bruyn; Index.

Fiona Ritchie is Assistant Professor of English at McGill University, Canada.
Peter Sabor is Canada Research Chair and Professor of English at McGill University.