Shakespearean Metadrama - The Argument of the Play in Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour's Lost, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream and Richard II

Oct 6, 2026

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This scholarly work by James L. Calderwood offers a groundbreaking analysis of five of Shakespeare's early plays: Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour's Lost, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Richard II. Moving beyond traditional thematic critique, Calderwood interprets these works as metadramas—plays that explicitly reflect on the nature of dramatic art, the limitations of language, theatrical conventions, and the relationship between dramatic truth and social order. The book provides a theoretical framework for metadrama in an introductory chapter, positioning it within a broader critical context. By examining how Shakespeare writes about his own craft, the study offers a unique perspective on the intersection of theatrical media and the human condition. It remains a foundational text for students and academics interested in Shakespearean criticism, dramaturgy, and the philosophical underpinnings of Renaissance literature.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

FormatPDF

Pages212

Reading Time5 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction to Metadrama

Analysis of Five Early Plays

Thematic Issues in Shakespearean Drama

Language and Theater as Media

Dramatic Truth and Social Order

FAQs

What is the central thesis of James L. Calderwood's book?

The central thesis is that five of Shakespeare's early plays function as metadramas, meaning they are works that self-reflectively address the nature of dramatic art, theatrical media, and language itself.

Which specific Shakespearean plays does the author examine?

The author examines Titus Andronicus, Love's Labour's Lost, Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and Richard II.

How does this approach differ from traditional Shakespearean criticism?

While traditional criticism often focuses on moral, social, or political thematic issues, this approach interprets the plays as commentaries on their own existence, construction, and relationship to the audience and social order.

Oct 6, 2026

Upload by SANS