Books in French are on www.livres-cinema.info
Monty Python, Shakespeare and English Renaissance Drama
by Darl Larsen
(0 vote)Average rating:
| 0 | rating |  = We can do without |
| 0 | rating |  = Good book |
| 0 | rating |  = Excellent book |
| 0 | rating |  = Unique / a reference |
Your rating: -
Book Presentation:
At first consideration, it would seem that Shakespeare and Monty Python have very little in common other than that they're both English. Shakespeare wrote during the reign of a politically puissant Elizabeth, while Python flourished under an Elizabeth figurehead. Shakespeare wrote for rowdy theatre whereas Python toiled at a remove, for television. Shakespeare is The Bard; Python is-well-not.
Despite all of these differences, Shakespeare and Monty are in fact related; this work considers both the differences and similarities between the two. It discusses Shakespeare's status as England's National Poet and Python's similar elevation. It explores various aspects of theatricality (troupe configurations, casting and writing choices, allusions to classical literature) used by Shakespeare, Ben Jonson and Monty Python. It also covers the uses and abuses of history in Shakespeare and Python; humor, especially satire, in Shakespeare, Jonson, Dekker and Python; and the concept of the "Other" in Shakespearean and Pythonesque creations.
About the Author:
Darl Larsen is Professor of Theatre and Media Arts and the Center for Animation at Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. He is the author of A Book about the Film Monty Python's Life of Brian (2018), A Book About the Film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (2015), and Monty Python's Flying Circus: An Utterly Complete, Thoroughly Unillustrated, Absolutely Unauthorized Guide to Possibly All the References: From Arthur "Two-Sheds" Jackson to Zambesi (2013; 2008).
Press Reviews:
"opens students up to the wonder, excitement, admiration and fun of Shakespeare. Larsen’s book is fun and interesting while also being well researched. One reads it remembering how much one enjoys both Shakespeare and Python"―New England Theatre Journal; "a serious study of a popular subject"―Interzone.
See the publisher website: McFarland & Co
See Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975) on IMDB ...
> From the same author:
A Book about the Film Monty Python's The Meaning of Life (2020)
All the References from Americans to Zulu Nation
by Darl Larsen
Subject: One Film > The Meaning of Life
A Book about the Film Monty Python's Life of Brian (2018)
All the References from Assyrians to Zeffirelli
by Darl Larsen
Subject: One Film > Life of Brian
A Book about the Film Monty Python and the Holy Grail (2015)
All the References from African Swallows to Zoot
by Darl Larsen
Subject: One Film > Monty Python and the Holy Grail
> On a related topic:
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (2000)
The Illustrated Screenplay
Subject: One Film > The Adventures of Baron Munchausen
A Critical Companion to Terry Gilliam (2022)
Dir. Sabine Planka, Philip van der Merwe and Ian Bekker
Subject: Director > Terry Gilliam
The Cinema of Terry Gilliam (2013)
It's a Mad World
Dir. Jeff Birkenstein, Anna Froula and Karen Randell
Subject: Director > Terry Gilliam
Masters of the Grotesque (2012)
The Cinema of Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, the Coen Brothers and David Lynch
Subject: Director > Tim Burton, Terry Gilliam, Coen Brothers, David Lynch
Terry Gilliam (2004)
Interviews
Dir. David Sterritt and Lucille Rhodes
Subject: Director > Terry Gilliam
Back
