Books From University Presses

Throughout his life, John Donne was well acquainted with the consequences of desire. He wanted a courtly career badly enough to renounce the Catholicism of his childhood. Later, he wanted a woman badly enough to gamble that career for her sake; he lost, but found a new calling in the Anglican Church. There he pursued philosophical and theological questions with an intensity to match his former social ambitions, and was not above addressing God Himself in tones of "immoderate desire." Death became his ultimate object of passionate attention; and ever since that final consummation, critics have argued over the nature and import of Donne's desires, while simultaneously (if not always self-consciously) revealing a great deal about their own.Saunders explores this dialectic of desire, re-evaluating both Donne's poetry and the complex responses it has inspired, from his earliest readers to his recent professional critics. In the process, Saunders considers an extraordinary range of topics, including the technology of the book, prosodic theory, the problem of misogyny, the history of sexuality, and even the purpose of criticism itself; remarkably, he does so while keeping Donne's poetry in focus at all times.Witty, erudite, theoretically engaged, but intensely readable, this study takes into account recent developments in the fields of historicism, feminism, queer theory, and postmodern psychoanalysis, while offering dazzling close readings of many of Donne's most famous poems.

A leading Russian Symbolist poet, essayist, and mentor to an entire generation of writers, Andrei Bely (1880-1934) achieved greatest renown for three brilliant Petersburg -- which has been ranked with the masterpieces of Joyce, Kafka, and Proust -- The Silver Dove, and Kotik Letaev.Vladimir Alexandrov argues cogently that the main-spring of Bely's complex art is his conception of Symbolism as a new form of cognition that links the individual, the material world, and the transcendent realm. Supplementing close textual analysis with material drawn from Bely's theoretical and autobiographical writings, Alexandrov traces in detail how this conception evolved from four early experimental prose narratives to the major novels, and how it is manifested in their themes, form, and style. Alexandrov also provides lucid discussions of the significant influence that several philosophical and occult systems had on Bely's art, and of the theoretical problem of what constitutes a Symbolist novel.

This book is a must-read for lovers of classic literature who are looking to gain a deeper understanding of Dante's The Inferno. Kirkpatrick brilliantly delves into the intricacies of Dante's writing style, exposing the deep themes and complexities within each canto. The book presents a fresh perspective on the Inferno's place in the wider context of The Commedia, shedding light on Dante's thinking and poetry style. With its accessible language of interpretative criticism, this book is an essential read for anyone who is serious about exploring Dante's work.

Documentary Film Classics would be a great read for documentary enthusiasts who enjoy critical analysis of films. William Rothman examines major documentary films throughout history, including their underlying philosophical and historical issues. By reading this book, users can gain a deeper understanding of the achievements of these films as works of art in addition to learning about their historical significance.

In the history of modern theater Ibsen is one of the dominating figures. The sixteen chapters of this Companion explore his life and work. The plays are grouped and discussed chronologically; among the thematic topics are discussions of Ibsen's comedy, realism, lyric poetry and feminism. Substantial chapters account for Ibsen's influence on the international stage, including an interview with ex-RSC director John Barton and an essay by Arthur Miller exploring Ibsen's challenge to contemporary theater and film. Essential reference materials include a full chronology, list of works, and essays on twentieth-century criticism and further reading.

Richard Gilman examines each of Chekhov's full-length plays, showing how they relate to each other, to Chekhov's short stories, and to his life. He also places the plays in the context of Russian and European drama and the larger culture of the period. Gilman interweaves biographical narrative with textual commentary and with a discussion of stage-craft and dramaturg - Chekhov's techniques for influencing viewers, the scenic framing of the action, and issues of genre and temporal structuring. Although previous critics of Chekhov have tended to view him as an essentially social dramatist or as an observer of the smaller aspects of existence, Gilman asserts that Chekhov was far more of an innovative playwright, a revolutionary, than has been seen.

Recommended for students and literature enthusiasts. The book meticulously covers major genres, texts, and authors of the period in an easily digestible prose. A perfect guide to get started with Renaissance literature.

A great resource for students to understand and analyze Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Provides detailed commentary on the text, historical and social context, language analysis, critical approaches, essay writing tips and recommended resources. Recommended for literature students studying Twelfth Night.