Coming of Age in Shakespeare

Coming of Age in Shakespeare by Garber, Marjorie. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780415919081.

Marjorie Garber examines the rites of passage and maturation patterns--"coming of age"--in Shakespeares plays. Citing examples from virtually the entire Shakespeare canon, she pays particular attention to the way his characters grow and change at points of personal crisis. Among the crises Garber discusses are: separation from parent or sibling in preparation for sexual love and the choice of husband or wife; the use of names and nicknames as a sign of individual exploits or status; virginity, sexual initiation and the acceptance of sexual maturity, childbearing and parenthood; and, finally, attitudes toward death and dying.