The Child in Shakespeare

Shakespeare's plays pulse with the presence of children, not merely as background figures but as potent symbols of legacy, memory, and the raw plea for justice. This study delves into the playwright's unique fascination with the young body and the complex life stage of childhood, examining how these figures shape the dramatic and emotional core of his work. It offers the first sustained analysis of the child's role across Shakespeare's dramatic imagination, drawing on a rich array of contemporary texts to build its case.

The book's distinctive focus on the physicality of the child—the vulnerable body on stage—provides a fresh and compelling lens through which to re-read familiar plays. Readers with a deep interest in Shakespearean drama, literary criticism, and the cultural history of childhood will find a wealth of insightful analysis. By centering this often-overlooked element, the book illuminates how children fundamentally animate the conflicts of love, violence, and power in Shakespeare's world, leaving a lasting impression of their crucial dramatic force.