Richard II (Folger Shakespeare Library) (Mass Market Paperback)

~ William Shakespeare (Author), Paul Werstine (Author), Dr. Barbara A. Mowat (Editor)
Key Phrases: deposition scene, later quartos, blank charters, Modern Perspective, Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Each edition includes:

• Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play

• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play

• Scene-by-scene plot summaries

• A key to famous lines and phrases

• An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language

• An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play

• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books

Essay by Phyllis Rackin

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

About the Author

The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.

Barbara A. Mowat is Director of Academic Programs at the Folger Shakespeare Library, Editor of Shakespeare Quarterly, Chair of the Folger Institute, and author of The Dramaturgy of Shakespeare's Romances and of essays on Shakespeare's plays and on the editing of the plays.

Paul Werstine is Professor of English at King's College and the Graduate School of the University of Western Ontario, Canada. He is the author of many papers and articles on the printing and editing of Shakespeare's plays and was Associate Editor of the annual Medieval and Renaissance Drama in England from 1980 to 1989.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (June 28, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0743484916
• ISBN-13: 978-0743484916
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #75,968 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for a reading group, August 10, 2006

By	Lancelot R. Fletcher (Tbilisi, Georgia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I ordered a number of copies of this book -- the New Folger Library edition of Richard II -- for use by members of a Shakespeare reaeding group in Tbilisi, Georgia (that's the country, not the state), most of whose members are not native speakers of English. For this purpose the Foger edition, with notes on the page facing each page of text, was very useful -- more useful, I think, than the Arden edition, whose critical apparatus is very copious but often gets in the way. And in a few cases I found the Folger's notes more accurate and informative. Harry Berger's concluding essay, however, is not so good. It argues a thesis that I find somewhat implausible and one-sided in its reading of the play, so especially for the new student it is not very useful. But coming at the end of the text it is easy to ignore.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Highly Recommended for Style and Presentation, February 15, 2007

By	Big D (Auburn, AL. USA) - See all my reviews

Shakespeare can be tough--tough, but well worthwhile---and this book does a good job of presenting Shakespeare in a manner and form that is not overpowering to the reader....

Provides just enough insight and history to aid the reader in understanding, but doesn't overpower the reader with unnecessary "book learning." The real impact of Shakespeare, however, is in the play itself...this book adds to the play and doesn't detract from it by an overpowering explanation or presentation.

Good effort. Barbara Mowat's work is always good.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Blowback from an ugly decision in "this demi-paradise", September 28, 2008

By	E. M. Van Court "Van, emvc (at) lycos.com" (Honolulu, Hawai'i, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

King Richard is forced to make an ugly decision about an argument between two of his noble subjects. He tries to come up with a balanced solution for the best interests of the realm, and lives to regret it. Bolingbroke is exiled, rather than killed, but returns to usurp the throne.

Complex and dour but with a passion for England, this was a very enjoyable one. Richard wasn't especially likeable, but despite his unpleasantness, he inspired a degree of sympathy. Bolingbroke was the noble, conqueror returning from exile imposed by the mean old king, but wasn't someone a body could feel sympathy for. The story was taken from English history, with some artistic liberties. Throughout, there was a love for England regardless of and frequently despite the rulers. As much about the people in the play, it is about how Britons feel about their land.

I enjoyed it even though I generally prefer his comedies.

E. M. Van Court