Shakespeare and Theatrical Patronage in Early Modern England [Paperback]

A wide-ranging 2002 study of patronage, relating to Shakespeare and the culture of his time.This wide-ranging study relates patronage to Shakespeare and the theatrical culture of his time. Twelve distinguished theatre historians address such questions as: What important functions did patronage have for the theatre during this period? How, in turn, did the theatre impact on and represent patronage? In what ways do patronage, political power, and playing intersect? The authors also show how patronage practices changed and developed from the early Tudor period to the years in which Shakespeare was the English theatre's leading artist.This wide-ranging study relates patronage to Shakespeare and the theatrical culture of his time. Twelve distinguished theatre historians address such questions as: What important functions did patronage have for the theatre during this period? How, in turn, did the theatre impact on and represent patronage? In what ways do patronage, political power, and playing intersect? The authors also show how patronage practices changed and developed from the early Tudor period to the years in which Shakespeare was the English theatre's leading artist.This wide-ranging study relates patronage to Shakespeare and the theatrical culture of his time. Twelve distinguished theater historians address such questions as--What important functions did patronage have for the theater during this period? How, in turn, did the theater impact on and represent patronage? In what ways do patronage, political power, and playing intersect? The authors also show how patronage practices changed and developed from the early Tudor period to the years in which Shakespeare was the English theater's leading artist.List of illustrations; List of contributors; Introduction: Shakespeare and theatrical patronage in early modern England Paul Whitfield White and Suzanne R. Westfall; Part I. Theories and Histories: 1. 'The useless dearness of the diamond': theories of patronage theatlã5