Shakespeare and Phenomenology

Theory and Practice
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-032-72005-0
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 212 Seiten, Format (B × H): 152 mm x 229 mm, Gewicht: 453 g

Reihe: Routledge Studies in Shakespeare

This book considers how Shakespeare’s theatre investigates and reveals “Being-in-the-world”. Through the lens of phenomenology (the study of how the world shows itself to conscious experience) Johnston examines how Shakespeare’s texts and dramaturgy reveal aspects of Being. This volume explores philosophical themes in Shakespeare’s drama, including perceptions of stage space and fictional place, temporality, bodies, authenticity, and memory in early modern English staging. It examines how Shakespeare asks the question of the meaning of Being by playing with the distinction between “what is” and “what is not”. The work offers practical performance tips and exercises to connect with modern audiences. Each chapter aims to inspire creative artists in production and rehearsal through a unique focus and provide a critical approach to performance. Through a phenomenological exploration of dramatic possibilities drawn from the key concepts of philosophers such as Edmund Husserl, Martin Heidegger, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and Edith Stein, Johnston investigates theatre as a practical form of philosophical investigation. Theatre-makers should not only consider the fictional world of the play, but also the historical context of Shakespeare’s world and the contemporary context for connecting with audiences here, today, now.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Johnston, Daniel

Fachgebiete

• Geisteswissenschaften Philosophie Moderne Philosophische Disziplinen Phänomenologie
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Literaturwissenschaft: Dramen und Dramatiker
• Geisteswissenschaften Literaturwissenschaft Englische Literatur

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Introduction: The Empathy Drum

1 Being in the Atmosphere: Emotional Weather in Twelfth Night

2 Being Out of Time: Temporality in Macbeth

3 Touching Palms with Being: Romeo and Juliet

4 Becoming Oneself: Authenticity and Selfhood in Richard III

5 Traumatic Being: Memory in The Tempest

Conclusion: Breathing Being

Index

Über Autor(innen)

Daniel Johnston is the Director of Learning and Teaching at Excelsia College, Sydney, Australia and an Honorary Associate at the University of Sydney. He has taught at The University of Notre Dame Australia, Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sydney, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and Macquarie University. He holds a PhD in Performance Studies (The University of Sydney) and MA (Cantab) in Philosophy (University of Cambridge).