Books in the Blackwell Companions to Literature and Culture series

This volume contains original essays on every comedy from "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" to "Twelfth Night" as well as 12 additional articles on such topics as the humoral body in Shakespearean comedy, Shakespeare's comedies on film, and Shakespeare's relation to other comic writers of his time.

A Companion to American Fiction 1780--1865 presents the current state of criticism in the field of American fiction from the earliest declarations of nationhood to secession and civil war.

Tells the story of the historical development of tragedy from classical Greece to modernity. This book considers interpretations of tragedy through religion, philosophy and history. It offers an assessment of Ancient Greek tragedy.

A Companion to Science Fiction assembles essays by an international range of scholars which discuss the contexts, themes and methods used by science fiction writers. * This Companion conveys the scale and variety of science fiction. * Shows how science fiction has been used as a means of debating cultural issues.

This collection of twenty-nine original essays, surveys satire from its emergence in Western literature to the present. * Tracks satire from its first appearances in the prophetic books of the Old Testament through the Renaissance and the English tradition in satire to Michael Moore's satirical movie Fahrenheit 9/11.

This comprehensive Companion to William Faulkner reflects the current dynamic state of Faulkner studies. Explores the contexts, criticism, genres and interpretations of Nobel Prize-winning writer William Faulkner, arguably the greatest American novelist. Comprises original essays written by leading scholars.

This wide-ranging Companion to Modern British and Irish Drama offers challenging analyses of a range of plays in their political contexts. It explores the cultural, social, economic and institutional agendas that readers need to engage with in order to appreciate modern theatre in all its complexity.

This acclaimed volume explores and unravels the contexts, readings, genres, intertextualities and debates within Anglo--Saxon studies. * Brings together specially--commissioned contributions from a team of leading European and American scholars. * Embraces both the literature and the cultural background of the period.

Features a wide-ranging series of essays by American, British, and European specialists in a variety of literary fields Written in an approachable and accessible style Covers both classic literary figures and contemporary novelists Provides extensive suggestions for further reading at the end of each essay.

A Companion to Tudor Literature presents a collection of thirty-one newly commissioned essays focusing on English literature and culture from the reign of Henry VII in 1485 to the death of Elizabeth I in 1603.

In a series of original essays from leading literary scholars, this Companion offers a chronological sweep of medieval poetry from Old English to the great genres of romance, narrative, and alliterative poetry of the 15 th century.

In this revised and greatly expanded edition of the original Companion, some 80 of the very best modern scholars come together to offer an original assessment of English Renaissance literature and culture.

Now in paperback , A Companion to Charles Dickens concentrates on the historical, ideological, and social forces that defined Dickens s world. This work traces the development of Dickens s career as a journalist and novelist and includes original essays by leading Dickensian scholars on each of Dickens s fifteen novels.

This collection of twenty-nine original essays, surveys satire from its emergence in Western literature to the present. * Tracks satire from its first appearances in the prophetic books of the Old Testament through the Renaissance and the English tradition in satire to Michael Moore's satirical movie Fahrenheit 9/11.

A Companion to the Literature and Culture of the American West presents an in depth exploration of historic and contemporary cultural expressions rooted in America's western states. A series of illuminating essays by literary and cultural scholars reveals the complexity of the many "wests" in our imagination and reality.

A Companion to Poetic Genre brings together over 40 contributions from leading academics to provide critical overviews of poetic genres and their modern adaptations.

A Companion to American Literary Studies addresses the most provocative questions, subjects, and issues animating the field. Essays provide readers with the knowledge and conceptual tools for understanding American literary studies as it is practiced today, and chart new directions for the future of the subject.

This comprehensive collection offers a complete introduction to one of the most popular literary forms of the Victorian period, its key authors and works, its major themes, and its lasting legacy.

A Companion to Comparative Literature presents a collection of more than thirty original essays from established and emerging scholars, which explore the history, current state, and future of comparative literary studies.

A Companion to American Literary Studies addresses the most provocative questions, subjects, and issues animating the field. Essays provide readers with the knowledge and conceptual tools for understanding American literary studies as it is practiced today, and chart new directions for the future of the subject.

* * One of the most broad-ranging volumes to appear on Mark Twain in recent years. * * Brings together respected Twain critics and a number of younger scholars in the field to provide an overview of this central figure in American literature.

This comprehensive Companion to William Faulkner reflects the current dynamic state of Faulkner studies. * Explores the contexts, criticism, genres and interpretations of Nobel Prize-winning writer William Faulkner, arguably the greatest American novelist. * Comprises original essays written by leading scholars.

This exciting new Companion explores the interactions between Europe and other peoples of both the New and Old worlds during the English Renaissance, and their effect on the literature, culture, art, and history of the period.

A New Companion to Milton builds on the critically-acclaimed original, bringing alive the diverse and controversial world of contemporary Milton studies while reflecting the very latest advances in research in the field.

A Companion to Virginia Woolf is a thorough examination of her life, work, and multiple contexts in 33 essays written by leading scholars in the field.* Contains insightful and provocative new scholarship and sketches out new directions for future research* Approaches Woolf's writing from a variety of perspectives and disciplines, including modernism, post-colonialism, queer theory, animal studies, digital humanities, and the law* Explores the multiple trajectories Woolf's work travels around the world, from the Bloomsbury Group, and the Hogarth Press to India and Latin America* Situates Woolf studies at the vanguard of contemporary literature scholarship and the new modernist studies

A Companion to the Brontes brings the latest literary research and theory to bear on the life, work, and legacy of the Bronte family.

A New Companion to Renaissance Drama provides an invaluable summary of past and present scholarship surrounding the most popular and influential literary form of its time. Original interpretations from leading scholars set the scene for important paths of future inquiry.