Jew of Malta: A Critical Reader

Robert Logan is Professor of English and Chair, University of Hartford. He is co-editor of Marlowe's Empery, Placing the Plays of Christopher Marlowe and author of Shakespeare's Marlowe, winner of the 2009 Roma Gill Prize for Best New Work in Marlowe studies.

• Introduction \ 1. The Critical Backstory: Bruce E. Brandt \ 2. The Performance History: Sara Munson Deats \ 3. The State of the Art: Current Critical Research: Andrew Duxfield \ 4 New Directions I: Roslyn L. Knutson \ 5. New Directions II: Ian McAdam \ 6. New Directions III: Kirk Melnikoff \ 7. New Directions IV: M. L. Stapleton\ 8. A Survey of Resources: Sarah K. Scott \ References \ Index

Logan identifies three key interpretative cruxes that continue to preoccupy those studying The Jew of Malta: the extent of Marlowe’s familiarity with Machiavelli and his works; the vexed issue of the play’s genre; and the problems faced in arriving at a coherent understanding of the character of Barabas. Such questions provide an important context for the chapters that follow, which together offer a clear, concise, and accessible overview of the play’s reception history in criticism and performance, designed primarily for students and teachers.