Cosmetics in Shakespearean and Renaissance Drama

This book provides an insightful examination of how cosmetics influenced Shakespearean plays and the broader Renaissance context. Cosmetics in Shakespearean and Renaissance Drama offers a critical perspective on beauty standards.

This revised edition delves into the intricate relationship between cosmetics and the theatrical works of Shakespeare and his contemporaries, highlighting the Renaissance's deep fascination with beauty and adornment. Cosmetics in Shakespearean and Renaissance Drama explores how these plays not only reflect societal attitudes towards female beauty but also engage with the contentious debates surrounding the use of cosmetics during that era. Farah Karim-Cooper meticulously examines the emergence of a 'culture of cosmetics,' revealing its visual representation on the early modern stage and its implications for gender, race, and politics.

In addition to analyzing the dramatic portrayals of cosmetics, the book provides insights into contemporary cosmetic practices by investigating historical recipes and anti-cosmetic literature. Karim-Cooper sheds light on how these texts interacted with theatrical representations, offering a nuanced understanding of beauty standards in Shakespeare's time. The exploration of ingredients, methods, and materials used to create cosmetics enriches the reader's comprehension of the era's beauty culture.

Cosmetics in Shakespearean and Renaissance Drama also presents a fresh perspective on the construction of whiteness as a racial signifier, contributing to ongoing discussions in the field of cosmetics and adornment studies. With numerous cosmetic recipes from the early modern period included, this revised edition serves as an invaluable resource for scholars and enthusiasts alike, bridging the gap between literature and historical beauty practices.