Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.

Name: Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: / with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.
Author: Francis Douce

By Francis Douce

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British Literature Essays, Letters & Speeches

About This Book

Annotated commentaries on Shakespeare's plays combine explanatory notes, historical and antiquarian research, and woodcut illustrations. The compiler clarifies obsolete words and customs, supplies critical emendations, and includes specific essays on comic personae such as clowns and fools, the influence of the medieval Gesta Romanorum on one drama, and the English morris dance. The preface reflects on the aims and methods of commentary and earlier editors; the notes range from linguistic glosses to cultural digressions intended to illuminate stage practice and popular sources while occasionally settling disputes between critics.

About the Author

Francis Douce

Francis Douce was an English antiquarian and scholar known for his contributions to the study of Shakespeare and early English culture. His notable works include "Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners," which explores the social context of Shakespeare's plays, and "The Dance of Death," which examines the artistic representations of death in medieval culture. Douce's research often focused on the intersection of literature and folklore, providing valuable insights into the customs and traditions of his time. His scholarship remains influential in the fields of literary and cultural studies.