| The First Part of King Henry IV Updated Edition Contributor(s): Weil, Herbert (Editor), Weil, Judith (Editor) |
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ISBN: 0521868017 ISBN-13: 9780521868013 Publisher: Cambridge University Press OUR PRICE: $76.94 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: October 2007 Annotation: This updated edition offers a strongly theatrical perspective on the origins of Shakespeare??'s First Part of King Henry IV and the history of its interpretation. The introduction clarifies the play??'s surprising, de-centred dramatic structure, questioning the dominant assumption that the drama focuses on the education of Prince Hal. It calls attention to the effects of civil war upon a broad range of relationships. Falstaff??'s unpredictable vitality is explored, together with important contemporary values of honour, friendship, festivity and reformation. Extensive lexical glosses of obscure, ambiguous or archaic meanings make the rich wordplay accessible. The notes also provide a thorough commentary on Shakespeare??'s transformation of his sources (particularly Holinshed??'s Chronicles) and suggest alternative stagings. This updated edition contains a new introductory section by Katharine A. Craik, which describes recent stage, film and critical interpretations, and an updated reading list. |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Literary Criticism | Shakespeare |
| Dewey: 822.33 |
| LCCN: 2008270088 |
| Series: New Cambridge Shakespeare |
| Physical Information: 0.77" H x 6.25" W x 9.01" (1.12 lbs) 254 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: The New Cambridge Shakespeare appeals to students worldwide for its up-to-date scholarship and emphasis on performance. The series features line-by-line commentaries and textual notes on the plays and poems. Introductions are regularly refreshed with accounts of new critical, stage and screen interpretations. This second edition of The First Part of King Henry IV offers a theatrical perspective on the origins of Shakespeare's play and the history of its interpretation. In their introduction the editors, Herbert and Judith Weil, clarify the play's de-centred dramatic structure and call attention to the effects of civil war on a broad range of relationships. Falstaff's unpredictable vitality is also explored, together with such important contemporaneous values as honour, friendship, festivity and reformation. Lexical glosses make the rich wordplay accessible, while the notes provide a thorough commentary on Shakespeare's transformation of his sources. A supplementary section by Katharine Craik focuses on important modern interpretations. |