John Lennards geschriften duiken diep in de analyse van literatuur en bieden lezers diepgaande inzichten in verschillende genres en hun historische evolutie. Zijn aanpak is nauwgezet en detailgericht, wat hem tot een autoriteit op zijn vakgebied maakt. Lennard richt zich op het begrijpen van hoe literaire werken worden gecreëerd en hoe ze onze perceptie van de wereld vormen.
A compact, wide-ranging, and accessible guide to reading plays, The Drama Handbook stresses the importance of understanding performance conventions and production processes through history, and offers clearly defined and presented critical vocabularies.
A Guide to Reading Poetry for Pleasure and Practical Criticism
Provides a practical guide to the poet's craft. Topics such as metre, form, layout, lineation, punctuation, rhyme, diction and syntax are covered and at the end of each chapter, each topic is applied to the same poem, Nobel-winner Derek Walcott's "Nearing Forty".
Focusing on Shakespeare's theatrical background, the book examines "Hamlet" as a complex revenge tragedy shaped by the playwright's close relationships with actors. It delves into the roles of various characters, from the Ghost to the finest performers, and explores Shakespeare's favorite narrative techniques. The final chapter draws intriguing parallels between "Hamlet" and "Twelfth Night," highlighting their contrasting tones as a dark comedy and a poignant tragedy. An annotated bibliography provides resources on major editions, film adaptations, and critical analysis.