This collection of nine interdisciplinary essays investigates how the drama of Shakespeare and his contemporaries offers dynamic interventions in narratives of war and social unrest.

Interacting with Simon Barker's compelling, seminal work on representations of war, militarism and conflict in early modern drama, contributors offer new readings of Shakespearean tragedy, history and comedy, alongside antimasque and dramatic satire by lesser-known playwrights, as well as providing analysis of early modern theories of war. Just as Barker's work sought to uncover what was 'kept dark' by military narratives, so the essays in this collection aim to disclose the contradictions and the silenced, dissident or disruptive voices underlying discourses of war and militarism. The volume contains explorations of emerging concepts of gender, leadership, marriage and family to show how early modern ideas about warfare and militarism are central to the formation of broader cultural identities. In so doing, it expands the critical focus from war, more narrowly defined, to other kinds of conflict and unrest, in order to consider the ways in which these all share common discursive ground. Discussions also include the continuing mobilisation of Shakespearean drama in modern armed conflicts.

The essays are by noted and influential scholars in the field: Rebecca Bailey, John Drakakis, Heather Hirschfeld, Irena Makaryk, Christopher Marlow, Franziska Quabeck and Monika Smialkowska. The volume is framed by two essays by Simon Barker himself.

Together, this collection offers valuable insights into a subject at the heart of current critical work on early modern drama.