Alternative Shakespeares

New Accents

by John Drakakis (Editor)

When critical theory met literary studies in the 1970s and '80s, some of the most radical and exciting theoretical work centred on the quasi-sacred figure of Shakespeare. In Alternative Shakespeares , John Drakakis brought together key essays by founding figures in this movement to remake Shakespeare studies. A new afterword by Robert Weimann outlines the extraordinary impact of Alternative Shakespeares on academic Shakespeare studies. But as yet, the Shakespeare myth continues to thrive both in Stratford and in our schools. These essays are as relevant and as powerful as they were upon publication and with a contributor list that reads like a 'who's who' of modern Shakespeare studies, Alternative Shakespeares demands to be read.

Genres: Shakespeare, Literary Criticism, Nonfiction

288 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 1985

Reviews

[T. Tokunaga · Rating 4 out of 5]

【Postmodern Rising / John Drakakis / Alternative Shakespeares】

It is really easy for a literature fan to be averse to postmodernism. However, you would ask yourself after having read the chapter 2 of this book. Were it not for a postmodern criticism, in this case postcolonialism, was it really possible to know that Shakespeare was canonized not only as a weapon to conquer "Calibans," but also make an effective Anti-German propaganda in the UK? Was it written in, for example, TS Eliot's books?

Even though TS Eliot was a great critic, we must admit that his errors were left unrefuted for a long while. In the same sense, Derrida was certainly iconic, but Christopher Norris who wrote on him related to Shakespearean critique was more convincing in its claim to set Shakespeare free from ideologies, even though I'm still not agreeing with him.

More interesting point: in this book, Cathrine Belsey, a feminist critic also made a really important and interesting point. Female stature in Shakespearean plays are disruptions of gender stereotypes in re-construction from misogynistic literature (for your information, the middle age even had a genre called "misogynistic literature,
such as "15 Joys of Marriage") to the emphasis on feminity at home.

Reinterpretation of Henry V as a play depicting the sole monarch being on verge of multidimensional political chaos by lowerclassmen's, especially Ireland veterans', disobedience is also a very interesting point, which gave me a clue to appreciate one of the few plays I did not even appreciate from the Bard formerly. This is what postmodernism looked like - even though it's probably not what it is now.

[Abel Guerrero · Rating 3 out of 5]

To get the most out of this book you'll need to be familiar not just with a spread of plays, but with critical theories too. The essays here often follow the pattern of some navel-gazing about theory, including debate about who adopted what position; then setting out an argument; finally using Shakespeare to bolster their views.

There are some interesting nuggets offering challenge to the accepted views of plays, but in other places you're definitely wading through treacle.

[Stel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my pleasure & privilege to be taught Shakespeare by the late John Drakakis in the 1990s. His passion for Shakespeare was legendary. It lives on in his books.