Renaissance Drama on the Edge

Exploring the intersections of drama and spirituality, Renaissance Drama on the Edge offers a comprehensive look at Renaissance playwrights and their works.

In Renaissance Drama on the Edge, Lisa Hopkins delves into the complexities of drama during the Renaissance period, expanding her exploration beyond the confines of England. Drawing from her previous work, she broadens the scope to include notable dramatists such as Christopher Marlowe and John Ford, offering a richer understanding of the theatrical landscape of the time. This investigation goes beyond the works of Shakespeare, allowing for a more comprehensive analysis of the era's literary figures and their contributions.

Hopkins introduces the concept of liminality, which she interprets not just in terms of geographical borders but also in the interplay between the material and the spiritual realms. She meticulously traces the boundaries that these playwrights navigated, highlighting how their works reflect the tensions and connections between physical spaces and metaphysical ideas. This dual exploration reveals the Renaissance imagination's fascination with the edges of existence, where the tangible meets the intangible.

Beginning with the most concrete of structures, walls, and culminating in the abstract notion of the divine, Renaissance Drama on the Edge charts a unique journey. By examining the myriad ways in which metaphysical themes intertwined with the physical liminalities of the time, Hopkins offers readers a fresh perspective on the cultural and artistic currents that shaped Renaissance drama, making it a significant contribution to literary scholarship.