Shakespeare on the Ecological Surface

‘It carries a political appeal to “act” as if “our collective non-human and human existence depend[ed] upon it”. For taking the discipline of ecocriticism in a new direction, its bravery and radicalism should be welcomed.’ Alice Leonard, TLS

'The book advances an original and canny argument that the absence of the word surface from Shakespeare’s lexicon constitutes negative evidence that he and his culture had a much more immersive, inter-connected understanding of the world that did not draw such sharp divides– physical or taxonomic–between things. . . . [It] makes an important contribution to ecocriticism and Shakespeare Studies, while illustrating how eco-theory might influence theatre practitioners and vice-versa. . . . Since Oakley-Brown spends many sentences thanking the critics who have taught her to see Shakespeare and the world anew, it seems only fitting that a reviewer return the favour and thank the author for spotlighting the surfaces of Shakespeare’s world, revealing how much can still be glimpsed in them and through them if we look closely enough and through the eyes of such a keen-sighted guide' Todd Borlik, Shakespeare

‘Shakespeare on the Ecological Surface is a handy and absorbing study. As well as early modern ecocritics, the book will be useful to anyone working in the wider fields of surface studies or geo-humoralism. As an invitation to shift perceptions on the individual ‘surfaces’ described in the book, both in Shakespeare’s plays and in the modern experience, the book undoubtedly succeeds. The research opens up many potential further avenues of exploration.’ Elizabeth Freestone, Green Letters: Studies in Ecocriticism