Shakespeare and Classical Comedy The Influence of Plautus and Terence [Hardcover]

This book surveys Shakespeare's comedies, charting the influence upon them of the ancient playwrights Plautus and Terence. Miola analyzes these sources, and places the comedies in their Renaissance context, as well as in the larger context of European theater. Discovering new indebtedness, and discerning new patterns in previously attested borrowings,Shakespeare and Classical Comedypresents an integrated and comprehensive assessment of the complex interactions of the Classical, Shakesperian, and other Renaissance theaters. Robert Miola's thoroughly researched book ranges over a vast amount of European drama, from Aristophanes to Beckett and Ionesco. It makes an important contribution to our understanding not only of Shakespeare and of his foremost antecedents, but also of his artistry and achievement.

Complements the author'sShakespeare and Classical Tragedyto form the most comprehensive treatment yet of classical drama's influence on Shakespeare....Both a classicist and Shakespearean scholar, Miola marshals a wealth of evidence convincingly and writes with critical sophistication and clarity. Highly recommended for any college or university library. --Religious Studies Review

...Miola's learned and perceptive volume is an impressive achievement, offering the best treatment to date of Shakespeare's indebtedness to, and transformation of, classical New Comedy. --Journal of English and Germanic Philology