Nation, State and Empire in English Renaissance Literature

Focusing on the influence of English Renaissance literature, this book explores how it shaped and challenged national and colonial identities through the works of key authors like Shakespeare, Spenser, and Milton. It integrates insights from new British history and postcolonial criticism, highlighting a significant shift in early modern studies from Irish to British perspectives. The text examines the complex dynamics of union, plantation, and conquest, offering a fresh understanding of this transformative period.