Abstract

This article locates Shakespeare's Padua, a prestigious site of humanistic learning and eloquence, amidst allusions by his contemporaries. Emphasis is placed on the pleasure and profit derived from travel for pedagogic purposes, yet Shakespeare appears to give equal weight to commonplace fears about the potentially deforming distractions that alluring Italian cities offer unwary English travellers, and about the rival, licentious pleasures that might ensnare and corrupt unsuspecting youth. The final section offers an alternative portrait from the period, hinted at by Shakespeare: travel is recuperated as a readerly activity, and Italy is reconceived of as a text to read, quote, and imitate.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.