Routledge Coming of Age in Shakespeare

Marjorie Garber examines the rites of passage and maturation patterns--"coming of age"--in Shakespeare's plays. Citing examples from virtually the entire Shakespeare canon, she pays particular attention to the way his characters grow and change at points of personal crisis. Among the crises Garber discusses are: separation from parent or sibling in preparation for sexual love and the choice of husband or wife; the use of names and nicknames as a sign of individual exploits or status; virginity, sexual initiation and the acceptance of sexual maturity, childbearing and parenthood; and, finally, attitudes toward death and dying. Review "Shakespearean scholars, students of drama, and cultural studies enthusiasts will be impressed with the rich array of insights offered in Garber's book on Shakespeare. Coming of Age in Shakespeare offers readers a compelling introduction to character development through the lens of contemporary research from the social sciences. Touching upon anthropological, sociological, and psychological studies, Garber writes literary criticism at its best- lucid, provocative, and capacious." -- Sixteenth Century Journal About the Author Marjorie Garber is Professor of English and Director for Literary and Cultural Studies at Harvard. She is the author of Vested Interests and co-editor of Media Spectacles and Secret Agents, all published by Routledge.