Kenneth Muir Livres

Leading Shakespearean scholars explore various aspects of the bard's life and works in this authoritative introduction to the entire field of Shakespeare studies

Love and hate, loyalty and treachery, cruelty and self-sacrifice: all these contend in a tempestuous drama which has become an enduring classic of the world's literature.

The book explores themes of ambition, power, and guilt through the tragic story of Macbeth, a Scottish general whose encounter with three witches ignites his desire for the throne. As they prophesy that he will become king, dark thoughts of murder consume him, which he struggles to suppress. Encouraged by his ambitious wife, Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan in his sleep and ascends to the throne. However, Macbeth's reign is plagued by paranoia and fear of losing power, leading him to further violence, including the murder of his friend Banquo. Haunted by guilt and the specter of Banquo, he seeks out the witches again, who provide misleading assurances of his invincibility. Ultimately, his downfall comes at the hands of Macduff, who was born by cesarean section, fulfilling the witches' prophecy. The play concludes with the tragic fates of both Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, who succumbs to madness, underscoring the destructive nature of unchecked ambition and moral decay.

This is a critical study of Shakespeare's "King Lear" for "A" level students.

Focusing on the Comedy of Manners, this book explores its origins in English and French literature, distinguishing it from other comedic forms. It features in-depth chapters on key playwrights such as Etherege, Dryden, Wycherly, Congreve, Vanbrugh, and Farquhar, highlighting their contributions to the genre. Additionally, it examines Jeremy Collier's critique of the plays' immorality and profaneness, providing a comprehensive understanding of the cultural and literary context of the period.