Renaissance Comedy: The Italian Masters, Volume 2

Front Cover
Donald Beecher
University of Toronto Press, Jan 1, 2008 - Literary Criticism - 465 pages

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.

 

Contents

The Calandria La calandria
34
The Mandragola La mandragola
115
The Moscheta La moscheta
163
The Horned Owl Lassiuolo
234
Frate Alberigo Il frate
300
The Candlebearer Il candelaio
335

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

About the author (2008)

Donald Beecher is a professor in the Department of English at Carleton University.

Bibliographic information