Romeo and Juliet (Oxford World's Classics) [Paperback]

William Shakespeare (Author), Jill L. Levenson (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Oxford World's Classics | Publication Date: September 7, 2000

This innovative edition of one of Shakespeare's most beloved plays offers modernized texts not only of the 1599 quarto but also of the short, or "bad" quarto of 1597, regarding each as witness to a "mobile text" which changed in composition as Shakespeare wrote it and which has continued to evolve throughout its richly varied history, both in the theatre and in film, television, opera, and ballet. The more familiar 1599 text is accompanied by a detailed explanatory commentary. The Introduction traces the Romeo and Juliet narrative from its origins in myth through its adaptation in the novella, and shows how Shakespeare's transmutation of the story reflects contemporary concerns with love, death, adolescence, and patriarchism.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This production of Romeo and Juliet featuring Kenneth Branagh and Sir John Gielgud is a superb contribution to the field of classics on cassette. The stunning performance by the Renaissance Theatre Company captures all the color and emotion of Shakespeare's eloquent tragedy of young love. With Samantha Bond as Juliet, Derek Jacobi as Mercutio, and Judi Dench as Nurse, the play, which is set in 16th-century Verona, contains some of the most passionate dialog ever written. An excellent musical score by Patrick Doyle accompanies the actors, as well as a full array of authentic sound effects. The pounding of hooves, the chiming of church bells, and the clashing of angry swords enrich this outstanding listening experience. A 24-page booklet complete with sketches and photos of the actors, a synopsis of the play, and background information is included in the package. Highly recommended for most libraries.
Gretchen Browne, Rockville Centre P.L., N.Y.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

`many students will no doubt relish the fullness of Professor Levenson's notes. Indeed, they may often be particularly grateful for the care with which she directs readers to even fuller discussions to be found elsewhere' The Review of English Studies, Vol.52, No.207

`Professor Levenson provides an excellent and often very thought-provoking account of performance history, and many of her most interesting discussions and annotations relate to questions of staging, traditional, unusual, or possible' The Review of English Studies, Vol.52, No.207

`excellent decision to include the whole of the Q1 text as well as Q2' The Review of English Studies, Vol.52, No.207

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (September 7, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0192814966
• ISBN-13: 978-0192814968
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,289,080 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indepth look at Romeo and Juliet... not for performance., May 27, 2001

By 

Margaret P Harvey (Charlottesville, Va United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

The beauty of Romeo and Juliet is universal of any edition you choose to buy--- Shakespeare's work is not what is being reviewed here. This edition is different from the other versions available of the same text, because this edition looks at Shakespeare's source, discrepancies in the text, meanings and significance of the imagery, etc. The multitude of footnotes (often taking up more than half the page) makes it ideal for scholars of Shakespeare who need more than just superficial notes. This edition is grossly inadequate for stage use due to the multitude of notes and small text. Buy this edition of the book for a sturdy, reliable and in-depth study of Romeo and Juliet. Look elsewhere for a simple copy of the text.
NOTE: THIS IS A REVIEW FOR THE OXFORD SHAKESPEARE EDITION OF THE PLAY NOT THE RADIO BROADCAST!!!

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Far from satisfying, November 28, 2000

By 

Jacques COULARDEAU "A soul doctor, so to say" (OLLIERGUES France) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet: BBC Dramatization (BBC Radio Presents) (Audio CD)

This radio adaptation is interesting in some ways, but it remains rather short on its objective. The sound universe created behind the voices is rather diminutive. Some voices are not that very accurate : Juliet is rather old-sounding and Romeo is quite late in his twenties at least. Lord Capulet speaks as if he were plain drunk all the time. But what's more some interpretations are defective. The famous sonnet during the dance is just badly done. The tone is wrong. The wit is flattened, etc. The balcony scene is slightly better, luckily. Romeo, by the way, is too much of a hooligan, of an agressive character, not at all in keeping with the world we can vaguely hear behind. Finally there are some cuts and some changes in the text that are not at all justified, such as « pacing » for « passing ». Dr Jacques COULARDEAU, Paris Universities II and IX.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Romeo and Juliet, October 19, 2001

By 

federico y justina (Buenos Aires, Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Romeo and Juliet (Oxford World's Classics) (Paperback)

I think that this is a great book because it tells you how much two people can really love each other and they gave up their lifes for their love.
I have seen the movie version about Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet and still love the book every time I revisit the story. Every word fascinates the reader into truly feeling the passion and tragedy of these two lovers. Even a character such as Tybalt Capulet won me over as far as description goes. Shakespearean writing is very much complex and confusing but it has a touch romance and anger which adds to the emotion of the story.
Is an excellent story for teenagers, read this classic book of love, hate and tragedy!