Othello (Oxford Shakespeare) [Hardcover]

William Shakespeare (Author), Michael Neill (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198129203 | ISBN-13: 978-0198129202 | Publication Date: June 1, 2006

This is the first scholarly edition of Othello to give full attention to the work's bold treatment of racial themes. Shakespeare's decision to place a sympathetic black hero at the center of his tragedy was unique in its time; but, as the lively introduction shows, the play's relationship to the history of racial thinking remains controversial. Designed to meet the needs of theatre professionals, as well as general readers, the edition includes an extensive performance history, a commentary illuminating the complexities of Shakespeare's language, and an indispensable appendix on the music in the play.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Prof. Neill's edition is complete with an introduction that is both learned and well-written and the footnotes are helpful especially for those approaching the play for the first time. Contemporary Review, Volume 288 ...For the wealth of helpful material and stimulating ideas this is surely the most valuable edition of Shakespeare's disturbing and controversial tragedy available today. Dieter Mehl, Archiv The new Oxford Othello is quite simply a major achievement, a volume alive with exemplary editorial and critical thought. It sets a landmark in Shakespeare studies and fully deserves to become the preferred edition for many years to come. Duncan Salkeld, The Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

Michael Neill is Professor of English at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He has previously edited Anthony and Cleopatra for the Oxford Shakespeare.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198129203
• ISBN-13: 978-0198129202
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,679,355 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He was one of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a merchant of some standing in his community. William probably went to the King's New School in Stratford, but he had no university education. In November 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. She was born on May 26, 1583. Twins, a boy, Hamnet ( who would die at age eleven), and a girl, Judith, were born in 1585. By 1592 Shakespeare had gone to London working as an actor and already known as a playwright. A rival dramatist, Robert Greene, referred to him as "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers." Shakespeare became a principal shareholder and playwright of the successful acting troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later under James I, called the King's Men). In 1599 the Lord Chamberlain's Men built and occupied the Globe Theater in Southwark near the Thames River. Here many of Shakespeare's plays were performed by the most famous actors of his time, including Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, and Robert Armin. In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare had a hand in others, including Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen, and he wrote poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. His 154 sonnets were published, probably without his authorization, in 1609. In 1611 or 1612 he gave up his lodgings in London and devoted more and more time to retirement in Stratford, though he continued writing such plays as The Tempest and Henry VII until about 1613. He died on April 23 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. No collected edition of his plays was published during his life-time, but in 1623 two members of his acting company, John Heminges and Henry Condell, put together the great collection now called the First Folio.