The first in-depth exploration of Shakespeare's representations of
climate and the sky
While ecocritical approaches to literary texts receive more and more
attention, climate-related issues remain fairly neglected, particularly
in the field of Shakespeare studies. This monograph explores the
importance of weather and changing skies in early modern England while
acknowledging the fact that traditional representations and religious
beliefs still fashioned people's relations to meteorological phenomena.
At the same time, a growing number of literati stood against determinism
and defended free will, thereby insisting on the ability to act upon
celestial forces. Sophie Chiari argues that Shakespeare reconciles the
scholarly approaches of his time with popular views rooted in
superstition and promotes a sensitive, pragmatic understanding of
climatic events. Taking into account the influence of classical thought,
each of the book's seven chapters addresses a different play where
sky-related topics are crucial and considers the way climatic phenomena
were presented on stage and how they came to shape the production and
reception of Shakespeare's drama.
Key Features
- Offers an all-encompassing approach on early modern climate in
Shakespeare
- Redefines the notion of 'climate' as Shakespeare's contemporaries
understood it
- Suggests new hermeneutic tracks to understand Shakespeare's major
comedies and tragedies
- Probes environmental issues in Shakespeare's plays and, in doing so,
echoes major concerns of the present time
