Titus Andronicus (The Pelican Shakespeare) [Paperback]

William Shakespeare (Author), Russ McDonald (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2000

"I feel that I have spent half my career with one or another Pelican Shakespeare in my back pocket. Convenience, however, is the least important aspect of the new Pelican Shakespeare series. Here is an elegant and clear text for either the study or the rehearsal room, notes where you need them and the distinguished scholarship of the general editors, Stephen Orgel and A. R. Braunmuller who understand that these are plays for performance as well as great texts for contemplation." (Patrick Stewart)

The distinguished Pelican Shakespeare series, which has sold more than four million copies, is now completely revised and repackaged.

Each volume features:
* Authoritative, reliable texts
* High quality introductions and notes
* New, more readable trade trim size
* An essay on the theatrical world of Shakespeare and essays on Shakespeare's life and the selection of texts

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Classics (January 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 014071491X
• ISBN-13: 978-0140714913
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,235 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Revenge is a dish best served piping hot from the oven..., July 8, 2001

By 

C. Fletcher (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Titus Andronicus (The Pelican Shakespeare) (Paperback)

If you have a weak stomach, you may want to stay the hell away from this play. Just about every disgusting thing that could happen to a human being, both mentally and physically, happens in this early Shakespeare tragedy.

The pages run over with various forms of vile behavior. There's... dismemberment (just about every kind imaginable), torture, people being buried alive, betraying each other, fathers killing their own daughters and hacking off their own hands, and, most gruesomely, baking their enemies in meat pies and serving them to their next of kin on the dinner table.

The last scene alone is enough to make you go vegetarian or at least seriously considering eating another pot-pie ever again. This is a fairly simple revenge tale, but the words and images Shakespeare uses to tell the tale are often breathtaking. It's certainly not as resonant or as deeply drawn as many of his later works--Macbeth and Hamlet are two of my favorites--but there are some great moments here, even if murder, mayhem,... aren't your cup of tea.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is what violence is about, August 21, 2000

By 

Daniel A. Bergstein - See all my reviews

This review is from: Titus Andronicus (The Pelican Shakespeare) (Paperback)

I understand that this is one of Shakespeares least popular, however I found it to be fantastic. Though not for all tastes, this is a true study of human violence and it's effects. There are no heroes, nor any long classic monolouges, but rather a brutal and nearly comical display of revenge brought forth through many characters.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, January 12, 2004

By 

Bethanie Frank "book dreamer" (Coffeyville, KS United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Titus Andronicus (The Pelican Shakespeare) (Paperback)

Since this was Shakespeare's first tragedy - it's understandable how he could write something so utterly out of character for him. Everyone must find their own feet to stand on. I find that the college students I teach respond well to this particular piece. The violence, gore and blood keep our up-to-date students involved. They also seem to respond well to Aaron. They are amazed at the evilness and the twisted plot. I will continue to teach this in my classroom and think this version is just fine for the beginning Shakespeare student.