Begging to Differ: Modes of Discrepancy in ShakespeareThe frequent inconsistencies in Shakespeare's work, particularly in plot and characterization, have long attracted the attention and even ire of his commentators. Based largely on four plays - Hamlet, Measure for Measure, The Winter's Tale and Henry V - this study is a detailed exploration of some modes of discrepancy as they relate to three specific areas of Shakespeare's dramaturgy: plot and narrative; language and text; and reasoning and proof. Professor Thatcher examines the nature and causes of real and apparent inconsistencies and suggests whether or not they may be seen to have artistic or dramatic justification. Begging to Differ includes the first comprehensive treatment of a neglected topic, discrepant quotations within Shakespeare's text. |
Common terms and phrases
accept According actually Angelo Antigonus appear argument asks audience authority bastard Bates believe calls cause chapter character child cited claims Claudio common critics dead death direct discrepancy doubt dream duke duke's editor Elizabethan English evidence example fact father fear friar ghost give guilty Hamlet hand Henry Henry's Hermione Horatio imaginations implies indicate Isabella issue John Juliet killing kind king king's Laertes later Leontes less letter live London Mariana means Measure for Measure mind moral mother murder natural never Notes offers Perdita perhaps person phrase play Polonius position possible present problem punishment question quoted reading reason reference regard response revenge Richard says scene seems sense Shakespeare soldiers Sonnet speak speech spirit stage suggest surely Tale tells thing thou thought Winter's wish York