A Dictionary of Stage Directions in English Drama 1580-1642

ISBN-13: 9780521552509 / Angielski / Twarda / 1999 / 306 str.

Alan C. Dessen; Leslie Thomson; Leslie Thomson

Opis

This dictionary, the first of its kind, defines and explains over 900 terms found in the stage directions of plays for the professional stage written by Shakespeare and his contemporaries. The authors draw on a database of over 22,000 stage directions drawn from around 500 plays. Each entry defines a term, gives examples of how it is used, cites additional instances, and gives cross-references to other relevant entries. This will be an indispensable work of reference for scholars, historians, directors and actors.

Recenzje

'The Dictionary as a whole is a superb scholarly resource. It presents a huge body of information in an astonishingly small space … Although this is primarily a work of reference, to be consulted for specific items, the book can be read from cover to cover almost as if it were pure entertainment. Its self-denying economy of presentation is a great virtue; it gives the whole work a cutting edge that stimulates and invigorates. As one goes through it, one gets a remarkably intimate feeling for the moment-by-moment actualities of stage performance. I can't imagine anyone using this Dictionary whose reading of early modern drama won't be sharpened and improved.' Emrys Jones, The Times Literary Supplement

Spis treści

Acknowledgements; Introduction; User's guide; Dictionary of stage directions; Terms by category; Plays and editions cited; Selected bibliography.