Richard III (Signet Classics) [Paperback]

William Shakespeare (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1998

Featuring a new overview of Shakespeare's works by Sylvan Barnet, former Chairman of the English Department at Tufts University, this Signet classic also includes a comprehensive stage and screen history, dramatic criticism from the past and present, and sources from which Shakespeare derived this great work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Signet Classics; 2nd edition (July 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451526953
• ISBN-13: 978-0451526953
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,647 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #20 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > British & Irish > General
  • #29 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > British > Classics
  • #37 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Drama > Playwrights, A-Z > ( S )

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.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LIke New, December 20, 2008

By 

C. Osuji "actress monologue genius" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Richard III (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

Although it didnt come as quickly as the other books I ordered. It was in great condition and exactly what I was looking for. Thank you

2 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars veary good story., October 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Richard III (Signet Classics) (Paperback)

It was veary dramatic book