William Empson Essays on Renaissance Literature Volume 2, The Drama [Paperback]

A collection of essays on Renaissance drama including work by Kyd, Jonson, Webster and Shakespeare.This collection of William Empson's vibrant essays on drama, the second volume of his writings on Renaissance literature, includes essays on Kyd, Johnson, Webster and Shakespeare, all are written with Empson's incomparable zest and intelligence.This collection of William Empson's vibrant essays on drama, the second volume of his writings on Renaissance literature, includes essays on Kyd, Johnson, Webster and Shakespeare, all are written with Empson's incomparable zest and intelligence.This collection of William Empson's essays on drama is the second volume of his writings on Renaissance literature. Edited by leading Empson scholar John Haffenden, the contents range from essays on The Spanish Tragedy, Volpone and The Duchess of Malfi to a sprightly piece on Elizabethan spirits. In addition, there are several hitherto unpublished essays, including a magnificent, provocative new reading of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Throughout the volume Empson fights his own critical corner with unequaled zest, intelligence and insight.Sources and acknowledgements; Introduction; Part I. Kyd, Jonson, Webster: 1. The Spanish Tragedy (I); 2. The Spanish Tragedy: a letter; 3. The Spanish Tragedy (II); 4. Volpone; 5. Volpone again; 6. The Alchemist; 7. 'Mine eyes dazzle'; 8. The Duchess of Malfi; Part II. Shakespeare and the Spirits: 9. Elizabethan spirits; 10. The spirits of the Dream; Notes; Index.