Shakespeare Among the Courtesans

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Focusing on Anglo-Italian cultural and sexual dynamics during the Renaissance, this study examines the rise and fall of the courtesan in English drama. Utilizing original historical sources, Salkeld analyzes the complex and often contradictory portrayals of courtesans in diverse texts, including the works of Shakespeare, Aretino, Nashe, Dekker, and Middleton. The exploration highlights how these representations reflect broader societal attitudes and tensions of the era.