Shakespearean intersections : language, contexts, critical keywords /

In this meticulously detailed, wide-ranging study, Parker (Stanford) examines cultural, historical, and linguistic contexts of critical keywords from Shakespeare's plays, placing particular stress on the importance of "translingual" considerations, across both languages and discursive communities. Each chapter focuses on a particular play and keywords relevant to that work, while simultaneously developing the relevance of multiple terms more broadly across Shakespeare's corpus. Parker details significant terms for the study of Shakespeare and convincingly (re)asserts the importance of these kinds of semantic details to Shakespearean queer studies and to intersecting concerns of race, class, gender, nationality, discourse, and staging, among others. The breadth of issues with which Parker engages and the wealth of contexts and connections she provides make the book relevant in a range of disciplines. As was the case with her prior works--particularly Shakespeare from the Margins (CH, Nov'96, 34-1407)--Parker's arguments are enlightening, thoroughly supported, and clearly structured, although their complexity makes this book less appealing to novice readers. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty. --Liberty Star Stanavage, SUNY Potsdam