Shakespearean Intersections

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What does the keyword "continence" in Love's Labor's Lost reveal about geopolitical boundaries? How does the contemporary association of "quince" with weddings inform A Midsummer Night's Dream? The evocation of Spanish-occupied "Brabant" in Othello resonates with modern geopolitical contexts and fears of sexual and territorial "occupation." In The Taming of the Shrew, "supposes" suggests not only sexual submission but also the transvestite practice of boys portraying women, impacting the recognition scene in Cymbeline. With wit and erudition, Patricia Parker examines these critical keywords to interpret the language and contexts of Shakespeare's plays. She delves into classical and historical sources, theatrical practices, and geopolitical dynamics, exploring hierarchies of race, gender, and class, as well as the multifaceted meanings of "preposterousness," including reversals of high and low, male and female, and various forms of writing. Offering innovative, interdisciplinary insights on Shakespeare's works across genres and periods, Parker's readings highlight how overlooked textual details resonate within and beyond the plays, suggesting that the boundary between language and context is a porous one.