Description
Book SynopsisThe Royal Shakespeare Company''s choice of The Two Noble Kinsmen to open the Swan Theatre in 1986 demonstrated that this long-neglected play has at last come into its own as a stageworthy, humorous, and moving dramatization of the conflicting claims of love and friendship. It was first published in 1634 as `by the memorable worthies of their time, Mr John Fletcher, and Mr William Shakespeare, Gent'' and was probably first performed soon after the wedding of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the company''s patron James I, to the Elector Palatine in February 1613. The exceptionally full introduction to this edition explains the relevance to the play of ideas of chivalry and of the classical idea of friendship. The edition (which is illuminatingly illustrated) also offers a discussion of the centuries-long debate about the play''s authorship and a clarification of its stage action.
Trade Review'This is an important scholarly edition and will obviously be indispensable for advanced study of the play.' Ann Thompson, Liverpool University
'The Oxford Shakespeare is an admirably scholarly edition, immaculately presented, offering close attention to possibilities of staging as well as meaning.' Dr D. Sedge, Exeter University
'An excellent edition, with a good introduction.' Roger Prior, Queen's University, Belfast
'Professional edition with introduction which states clearly the case for collaborative composition. R. N. Alexander, Queen Mary Westfield, London
'Stanley Wells' OUP Complete Works of Shakespeare is now eight years old and has spawned a new Oxford Shakespeare which appears now in splendidly affordable volumes in that nonpareil of libraries of good reading The World's Classics.' The Oxford Times
