British Identities and English Renaissance Literature [Paperback]

In this 2002 volume, scholars examine the role of literature in the construction of 'Britishness'.Though British history and identity in the early modern period are intensively researched areas, to date, the role of literature in the construction of 'Britishness' is under-examined. In this volume, leading Renaissance literary critics read a broad range of texts from the period, including plays of Shakespeare, in light of the new British history. This collection opens up a new kind of literary history and has pressing relevance for discussions of 'Britishness' today.Though British history and identity in the early modern period are intensively researched areas, to date, the role of literature in the construction of 'Britishness' is under-examined. In this volume, leading Renaissance literary critics read a broad range of texts from the period, including plays of Shakespeare, in light of the new British history. This collection opens up a new kind of literary history and has pressing relevance for discussions of 'Britishness' today.Though British history and identity in the early modern period are intensively researched areas, the role of literature in the construction of Britishness has not been thoroughly studied. In this volume, leading Renaissance literary critics review a broad range of texts from the period, including plays of Shakespeare, in view of the new British history. This collection opens up a new kind of literary history with immediate relevance to contemporary discussions of Britishness. Introduction David Baker and Willy Maley; Part I: Opening the Field: 1. British history and 'the British history': the same old story? Philip Schwyzer; 2. An uncertain union David Baker and Willy Maley; 3. Revising criticism: Ireland and the British model Andrew Murphy; Part II. Contested Peripheries: 4. 'The lost British lamb': English Catholic exiles and the problem of Britain Christopher Highley; 5. 'Making history': Holinshed's Irish chronicles, 1577 and 1587 RilóO