This book features five plays from the English Renaissance that explore political questions and developments by telling stories about the erotic impulses of a ruler. The volume contains fully annotated and modernized versions of Marlowe's Edward II, Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, Massinger's The Duke of Milan, Davenant's The Cruel Brother, and Ford's Love's Sacrifice.

The editor provides an introduction, initial discussion, and selected illustration(s) for each play, along with an introduction to erotic politics and the Renaissance-era political mentality. A bibliography includes suggestions for further reading and a list of useful websites for students.