The End of Kinship: Measure for Measure Incest and the Ideal of Universal Siblinghood

About this book

In this provocative commentary on Shakespeares Measure for Measure Marc Shell focuses on the plays basic themes of sexual extremism exchange and political order. At the crux of the play he notes the novice nun Isabella accuses her brother Claudio: "Ist not a kind of incest to take life/From thine own sisters shame?" Shells analysis shows exactly how Claudios request is a kind of incest in a virtuoso analysis that extends his earlier work on philosophical and literary economies. In the first work to develop fully the thematic role of the monastic orders in Shakespeares drama Shell demonstrates that the play lays bare some Western cultures most fundamental tensions -- between natural and political teleologies between Christian and political ideals of brotherhood and the incest taboo and between the pragmatic imperative to classify people and the moral imperative to treat them all alike. Drawing upon an astonishing range of literary material Shells discussion goes far beyond mere commentary -- offering for example brilliant readings of other Shakespearean plays. Praise for Marc Shells The Economy of Literature and Money Language and Thought also published by Johns Hopkins: "Shell offers admirably close readings which are often brilliant." -- The Eighteenth Century "A remarkable piece of work. Valuable for a wide range of readers from the expert to the inquiring generalist." -- Religious Studies Review "Stimulating and valuable." -- Comparative Literature