Download or read book The Dramatic Works of Catherine the Great written by Lurana Donnels O'Malley and published by Ashgate Publishing, Ltd.. This book was released on 2006 with total page 260 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The first in-depth study of Catherine the Great's plays and opera libretti, this book provides analysis and critical interpretation of the dramatic works by this eighteenth-century Russian Empress. O'Malley sets close textual analysis within an historical framework, analyzing the major plays according to content, style, themes, characters, and relation to Catherine's life and political aims. The study investigates how Catherine expressed her social ideas throughout her drama and exploited the stage's power to promote her political ideals and ideology.