The Soul of Athens: Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'

by Jan H. Blits

Overview

The Soul of Athens: Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" studies Shakespeare's portrayal of the founding of Athens through a close reading of one of the Bard's most memorable comedies. Through a painstakingly close reading of the play, author Jan H. Blits shows how Shakespeare's portrayal of this legendary first democracy illuminates the natural doubleness of the human soul by emphasizing the lure of both beauty and wisdom.A Midsummer Night's Dream is thus Shakespeare's examination not only of a particular city at a particular time, but of the essential duality of the human soul. Coupling careful attention to detail with interpretive breadth, The Soul of Athens examines the nature of love, the natural doubleness of human thinking and the ambiguous relation of image and reality, as well as patriarchy and democracy, and heroic and moral virtue.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739106532
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/05/2003
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	222
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.47(d)

About the Author

Jan H. Blits is a Professor of the University Honor Faculty at the University of Deleware, and author of several books on Shakespeare's plays including Deadly Thought: Hamlet and the Human Soul (Lexington Books, 2000).

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction
Chapter 2 Act One
Chapter 3 Act Two
Chapter 4 Act Three
Chapter 5 Act Four
Chapter 6 Act Five

Editorial Reviews

Jan Blit's The Soul of Athens is a provocative and insightful contribution to our understanding of this singular and important play.

The Review of Politics

Jan Blit's The Soul of Athens is a provocative and insightful contribution to our understanding of this singular and important play.--The Review of Politics

From the Publisher

Jan Blit's The Soul of Athens is a provocative and insightful contribution to our understanding of this singular and important play.

Review of Politics

Jan Blit's The Soul of Athens is a provocative and insightful contribution to our understanding of this singular and important play.

The Review Of Politics