First Quarto of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'

The First Quarto of The Merry Wives of Windsor is a problematic early Shakespearean text, with theories suggesting it was an authorial first draft, a cut-down version, a text put together from faulty actors' memories, or a reported text assembled by notetakers. This edition explores the various attempts to make sense of the short version, demonstrating the changes in editorial theory and fashion over the centuries. The modernised text and commentary enable the reader to enter into the ongoing debate.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 92 pages
\n Publication date: 17 September 2020
\n Publisher: Cambridge University Press
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The First Quarto of The Merry Wives of Windsor stands as a captivatingly perplexing testament to the early Shakespearean canon. Its enigmatic nature has sparked a longstanding debate, with scholars and enthusiasts attempting to unravel its origins and purpose. Was it an initial draft penned by the author himself? Or a streamlined version tailored for theatrical performance, perhaps derived from the more widely recognized Folio text? Alternatively, could it be a compilation assembled from the faulty recollections of inexperienced actors, or a documented account pieced together by attentive notetakers during live performances? Despite the extensive exploration and scrutiny these theories have undergone over the past 250 years, none has emerged as wholly convincing.

In this edition, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of the various interpretations of the short version of the play. Through meticulous analysis, we demonstrate how prevailing editorial theories and fashions have shaped our understanding of The Merry Wives of Windsor throughout the centuries. The modernized text, accompanied by insightful commentary, empowers readers to engage in this ongoing and endlessly intriguing debate, allowing them to form their own perspectives and contribute to the rich tapestry of scholarly discourse surrounding this seminal work.

\n Weight: 280g\n
Dimension: 159 x 234 x 13 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781107044098\n \n