Games and Gaming in Early Modern Drama

"Games and Gaming in Early Modern Drama" is a comprehensive examination of the central role of games in early modern drama. This study goes beyond mere metaphor and highlights how games function as complex syntheses of emblem and dramatic element. Based on writings from the 17th century, including Francis Willughby's "Book of Games," which was published only in 2003, the topic is divided into chapters on dice, cards, board games, and chess. The analysis includes the works of more than ten dramatists, featuring well-known names like Shakespeare and Middleton, as well as lesser-known pieces such as "The Spanish Curate" and "The Two Angry Women of Abington." The connection between games and theater is illustrated through aspects such as performance, deception, planning, risk, and chance. This study not only provides insights into the symbolism and divinatory origins of games but is also of interest to readers engaged with the language and literature of the period, including theater producers and students of early modern drama.