SHAKESPEARE AMONG THE COURTESANS. Prostitution, Literature, and Drama, 1500-1650.

First edition, first printing. Publisher's original black cloth with gilt titles to the spine, in dustwrapper. With nine black and white illustrations. A fine copy, the binding square and firm, with just a small bump to the head of the spine, the cloth bright and fresh. The contents are clean throughout, and without inscriptions or stamps. Complete with the very near fine, lightly rubbed dustwrapper, which is a little toned to the spine, and otherwise without loss, or tears.

A comprehensive study of the courtesan in Renaissance English drama, Professor Duncan Salkeld explores the development of their characterisation from a wry comedic presence in the plays of Terence and Plautus to a symbol of social disease in the dramas by Shakespeare and Marlowe, and the profound influence this has had upon English prejudices.