Shakespeare, Law, and Marriage

by B. J. Sokol, Mary Sokol

Overview

Combining legal, historical and literary approaches to the practice and theory of marriage in Shakespeare's time, this study discovers a broad range of information in a selection of Shakespeare's plays. Jerry and Mary Sokol approach the legal history of marriage as part of cultural history. The household was viewed as the basic unit of Elizabethan society, but many aspects of marriage were controversial, and the law was uncertain and confusing. The Sokols' analysis reveals much about Shakespeare's age as well as his work.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521024907
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	03/16/2006
Pages:	276
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.17(h) x 0.51(d)

About the Author

B. J. Sokol is Reader in English at Goldsmiths College, University of London.

Mary Sokol is Research Fellow at University College London and is also a lawyer.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments; Introduction; 1. Making a valid marriage: the consensual model; 2. Arranging marriages; 3. Wardship and marriages enforced by law; 4. Financing a marriage: provision of dowries or marriage portions; 5. The solemnisation of marriage; 6. Clandestine marriage, elopement, abduction and rape: irregular marriage formation; 7. The effects of marriage on legal status; 8. Marriage breakdown: separation, divorce, illegitimacy; 9. 'Til death us do part; An afterword on method; Notes; Bibliography; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"...Sokol and Sokol provide a clearly written book that enriches knowledge of Shakespeare's texts...Highly recommended." Choice

From the Publisher