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Drama General

Renaissance Comedy

The Italian Masters - Volume 2

by (author) Don Beecher & The Da Ponte Library

Publisher
University of Toronto Press, Scholarly Publishing Division
Initial publish date
Jan 2011
Category
General, Italian, Drama
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802099990
    Publish Date
    Nov 2009
    List Price
    $123.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780802097231
    Publish Date
    Nov 2009
    List Price
    $55.00
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780802094841
    Publish Date
    Mar 2008
    List Price
    $53.00
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802092922
    Publish Date
    Mar 2008
    List Price
    $126.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442661837
    Publish Date
    Jan 2011
    List Price
    $37.95

Classroom Resources

Where to buy it

Description

In this second volume of Renaissance Comedy, Donald Beecher presents six more of the best-known plays of the period, each with its own introduction, reading notes, and annotations. Beecher's general introduction, though stand-alone, complements and extends the historical and critical essay prefacing the first volume. Together, the eleven plays in both volumes illuminate the range, variety, and development of the Italian comedy.

The second volume of Renaissance Comedy raises fascinating questions about the uses of classical literature, the conventions of comedy, the politics of theatrical production, and the representation of contemporary social issues. Though it is clear that comedic plays exercised considerable influence over the development of European drama, these plays are above all remarkable for their sheer wit and invention, and their capacity to generate laughter and admiration in readers nearly half a millennium later.

About the authors

Donald Beecher is Chancellor’s Professor and a professor in the Department of English at Carleton University.

Don Beecher's profile page

The Da Ponte Library's profile page

Editorial Reviews

‘The two-volume collection of Renaissance comedies is a precious tool for scholars and readers interested in Italian Renaissance theatre…An extremely welcome addition to any ‘Italian library’ for English speaking readers.’

International Journal of Classical Tradition, vol 18:03:2011