Introduction

Wales have in recent years reflected concerns beyond the traditional approach; indeed, Chief Examiners’reportsandnewpapers set by the two biggest English examination boards have tried to encourage new critical approaches of the sort found in this book. Now the new Literature courses in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to be examined first in 2002 have brought the subject up to date. They will for the first time require an understanding of the political and cultural factors that influenced the writing of the plays,andguidehowtheyare readtoday.