Actors, Audiences, and Emotions in the Eighteenth Century

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Focusing on the emotional dynamics between audiences and actors in 18th-century English theatre, this book challenges traditional views of empathy as the primary interaction mechanism. It explores how actors conveyed emotions through various expressive techniques while audiences interpreted and managed their emotional responses. By analyzing the role of theatre spaces, the book highlights how these environments facilitated public and often political exchanges, offering a fresh perspective on the complex interplay of emotions in performance.