Reviews for Court Masques: Jacobean and Caroline Entertainments, 1605-1640

The average rating for Court Masques: Jacobean and Caroline Entertainments, 1605-1640 based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2018-03-04 00:00:00 Art Derouin When I acquired this volume to join the many books in my library that discuss "Hamlet" I truly underestimated its content. What appears to be singularly an "actors" guide I found in it a thorough and insightful commentary on the play on so many levels including an "actors'" guide. The ability of the actor/writer Michael Pennington to convey the behind the scenes thinking and acting options in approaching the play is wonderful but for those of us who have studied this work for a very long time it confirms the wonderful conclusion that no matter how long or how deep we study, the overall ambiguity of "Hamlet" remains intact... and so may it always be. Please let us never give serious ear to those who would suggest they "know" or "fully understand" the play or the character of Hamlet as therein lies its wonder and beauty, it is the "not knowing" !!! Highly recommended.

Review # 2 was written on 2012-12-20 00:00:00 Joseph Armond Hamlet from an actor's viewpoint. Five chapters summarizing the play, a section on the characters, and a conclusion. Not nearly as good as the book he wrote on Twelfth Night, a kind of routine interpretation but some interesting ideas.