Customer Reviews

Titus Andronicus (New Folger Library Shakespeare)

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I love the Folger Shakespeare editions because of the wonderful notes that are included, especially an overview at the end of the book by a current author. Of course this story is not for the faint-hearted, and don't make the the mistake of reading this particular Shakespeare story after eating Guinness and Beef pie! Your tummy might feel queasy.

This is the second time that I have read Shakespeare's "Titus Andronicus," and the experience was much better the second time (I found it to be above-average the first time). This is absolutely Shakespeare's darkest and most violent play, and it should not be read if you have a very weak stomach. It's full of blood, gore, and sexual immorality. True, it's not as violent as what you see now on HBO, but it's close, REAL close. The story for the play focuses on the Roman general named Titus Andronicus and his revenge against the Queen of the Goths, Tamora. Now, the story itself is interesting (if a bit incoherent), but the text from Shakespeare isn't as enthralling as, say, "Julius Caesar" or "King Lear." This is indeed one of the author's earliest works, and it doesn't really show much wit or enchantment. But what makes up for it is the story itself; it's shockingly violent but it's still intriguing. Overall, the play could have been more interesting if the text showed a bit more inspiration, but it's still a great play for its plot and characters. I would recommend it for those who admire Shakespeare's tragedies.

Grade: A-

I really enjoy the Folger Library version of Shakespeare's plays. They are great for teaching and better understanding Shakespeare.

This series of books produced by the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC is excellent for several reasons. The text of the play is presented on the right page and the appropriate translations into modern English or explanations of Renaissance references is explained on the facing left hand page. This allows the reader to understand more fully the main and subtle points of the play. This also provides and insight into contemporary 1600s life with the play's references to contemporary events or common knowledge of the times.

Also the books have chapters discussing each play, Shakespeare's theater of the those times, how the play fits into that world and hints on how it might be staged or presented. One of the stated purposes of this series is to provide enough understanding and clarity so that the reader can stage the play in their own head as they read. I think the books are very successful at this.

I always prefer to read the book before seeing the play: it is a great advantage to understand the dialogue and the references within the speeches. These books are excellent for the new reader of Shakespeare, whatever the age, or the reader more familiar with the bard's work

As for this play, the first tragedy Shakespeare wrote apparently was meant to be a crowd pleaser with loyalty, betrayal, murder, rape, mutilation, revenge, madness, feigned madness, plots, love, ruined love, and one guy who is just plain evil. Some of Shakespeare's stage directions are lost from the early plays so one might have a hard time imagining some of the staging for this piece. For an excellent interpretation of this play see Julie Taymor's movie version staring Anthony Hopkins; it so well thought out as to staging and instead of the actors reading the lines as quickly as they can as is too often the case with Shakespeare's work these actors breathe life into the play and their personages on the stage. An excellent version; must read the play first though.

The book was delivered in a timely manner and in perfect condition for a reasonable price. There is nothing more I could ask for.

The quality of the paper was like newspaper, and the play itself was one of Shakespeare's worst. If you just want to read Shakespeare, it is all there in this version. It is great if you don't have a lot of money to spend on a play, but I found the quality of the paper and the body of the book to be distracting. Overall a decent copy.