Focusing squarely on the strength of mimesis as a philosophical idea, this collection of essays considers aspects of mimesis ranging from Shakespeare to colonialism. As the philosophical agenda of major thinkers and writers responds to representational crises like post-structuralism and postmodernism, attention is turning away from artistic expressivity and back towards uses of mimesis. The nine included essays present a varied set of theoretical ideas and challenge the ingrained concept that mimesis is only a transparent reflection of reality. This fresh assessment of an ancient and much-cited practice brings new attention to the ways in which the early modern period made use of such representation.

Jonathan Holmes is a lecturer in drama at Royal Holloway, University of London and a theater director. He has published articles in several journals including Shakespeare Survey and New Theatre Quarterly, and is the author of 'Merely Players?' Actors' Accounts of Performing Shakespeare. Adrian Streete is a lecturer in English at the Queen's University of Belfast. He published works on Marlowe, Shakespeare, Nashe, Calvin, and early modern sign theory in journals such as Literature and History and Literature and Theology.