King Henry VI (3rd Series, Part 1) [Paperback]

Edward Burns (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Arden Shakespeare. Third Series (Paper) | Publication Date: May 4, 2000

A fresh look at a play usually regarded as the first component of a three-part historical epic, this edition argues that "King Henry VI Part 1" is a "prequel", a free-standing piece that returns for ironic and dramatic effect to a story already familiar to its audience. The play's ingenious use of stage space is closely analysed, as is its manipulation of a series of setpiece combats to give a coherent syntax of action. Discussion of the dramatic structure created by the opposing figures of Talbot and Jeanne la Pucelle, and exploration of the critical controversies surrounding the figure of Jeanne, lead to a reflection on the nature of the history play as genre in the 1590s.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

John Dover Wilson's New Shakespeare, published between 1921 and 1966, became the classic Cambridge edition of Shakespeare's plays and poems until the 1980s. The series, long since out-of-print, is now reissued. Each work contains a lengthy and lively introduction, main text, and substantial notes and glossary. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

John D. Cox is the DuMez Professor of English at Hope College, Michigan. He is the author of Shakespeare and the Dramaturgy of Power and The Devil and the Sacred in English Drama, 1350-1642, and co-editor with David Scott Kastan of A New History of Early English Drama.

 

Eric Rasmussen is Associate Professor of English at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is joint editor with David Bevington of Doctor Faustus in the Revels Plays series and the World's Classics edition of Christopher Marlowe's plays, author of A Textual Companion to 'Doctor Faustus', and co-editor of the forthcoming Norton Anthology of English Renaissance Drama. He writes the annual review of "Editions and Textual Studies" for Shakespeare Survey.

--This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 359 pages
• Publisher: Arden Shakespeare; 3rd edition (May 4, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0174434936
• ISBN-13: 978-0174434931
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,853,955 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A myopic of a king done in play format., May 26, 2007

By 

S. Schwartz "romonko" (alberta canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: King Henry VI, Part 3 (Arden Shakespeare: Third Series) (Pt. 3) (Paperback)

The three books that cover the life Henry VI are each masterpieces in their own right. They are each important parts of the multi-facted life of Henry VI. Wonderful history lesson.

6 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not A Single Complaint!, April 26, 2000

By 

Sean Ares Hirsch - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Henry 6 PT 1: Third Series (Arden Shakespeare) (Paperback)

This was one of Shakespeare's earliest plays. (possibly his third) Yet, there is nothing to indicate he was only starting out. Right away he grabs our attention with the funeral of King Henry V. Henry V's brothers Bedford and Gloucester help us to see the virtues and strengths of the deceased king. The Bishop of Winchester is well drawn as a comical villain who plots and plans, but never succeeds in doing any real damage. (Not until the next play anyway.) Talbot is memorable as the selfless hero of the play. York is memorable as the hero who defeats Joan of Arc. King Henry VI himself is interesting. First we see him as a helpless infant. By the third act, we see that he has both strengths and weaknesses. He makes the mistake of dividing the command between the rivals Somerset and York. But also, we see that he does not tolerate treason or neglect of duty. There are also many memorable scenes. The garden scene that foreshadows the War of the Roses is well drawn. The scene where York comforts his dying uncle is tragic beauty. Bedford's death in 3.2 has almost a divine tone. The death of Talbot and his son is very lamentable. York's sudden rise to power is captivating. Perhaps Shakespeare's greatest achievement in this play is that he simultaneously shows us England's war with France and the dissension with England itself.

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Part 3 and still running strong!, March 23, 2000

By 

Sean Ares Hirsch - See all my reviews

This review is from: King Henry VI (Arden Shakespeare) (Pt. 3) (Paperback)

This is not quite as good as 1 or 2, but it is still excellent! Shakespeare grabs us with the dispute between Henry VI and York. While it seems to end peacefully it does not, and the war goes on! York's death in 1.4 is another landmark in Shakespeare's writing. The scene (2.5) where Henry finds true terror is horror, sorrow, and yet beauty and yet another moving part of the play. (The son that hath killed his father and the father that hath killed his son.) The war pauses in disaster for Henry and some comic relief is offered. But the horror starts all over again when Edward IV and Warwick have a falling out. The war starts over again, and the King of France gets involved! The scene where King Henry VI is reinstated is a scene of beauty and hope. While all of this is happening, Shakespeare carefully prepares the monstrously satanic character of Richard III. From here, the play just gets more and more bloody. A final moment of horror is offered when the eventual Richard III proudly compares himself to the one who betrayed Christ. In part 4 "Richard III," the real terror begins!