The Chemical Theatre

by Charles Nicholl

Book Overview

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1888173254
• ISBN13: 9781888173253
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: The Akadine Press
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Fascinating read

Nicholl probes the connections between Shakespeare's King Lear and alchemy in this entertaining book. First he discusses the alchemical milieu of the late 16th century in Europe and especially in England, analyzing the most influential books and pamphlets of the time. He then shows how the plot of Lear can be regarded as describing an alchemical transformation of the King. Is he correct? I have no idea. But with his characteristically graceful writing, Nicholl brings to life the world of Renaissance alchemy and puts forth an interesting case for his thesis. Even if Lear is not an alchemical allegory, Nicholl points out several passages in Shakespeare's plays and sonnets with alchemical connotations. Even if you're not interested in Shakespeare, this book is worth reading just to understand what exactly the phenomenon of alchemy was.