Shakespeare: The Theatre of Our World

John Heminges and Henry Condell assembled The First Folio in 1623, preserving Shakespeare's most dramatically vital and poetically rich account of our human world. Shakespeare's work has remained relevant to contemporary concerns, reflecting our troubled society and contradictory selves. Peter Conrad examines the plays' world-view, generic originality, and inventive language, and explores Shakespeare's global legacy as his characters migrate to every continent and are reinvented by later writers, painters, composers, choreographers, and film-makers.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 04 October 2018
Publisher: Head of Zeus

In 1623, a remarkable collaboration took place between two renowned actors, John Heminges and Henry Condell. Their purpose was to gather together the works of the legendary Mr. William Shakespeare, encompassing his comedies, histories, and tragedies, which became widely recognized as The First Folio. Through this extraordinary endeavor, they ensured the preservation of literature's most profoundly vital and poetically rich account of the human world. Shakespeare's unparalleled artistry has been endlessly reinterpreted by critics and performers, and his inexhaustible work has remained steadfastly relevant to contemporary concerns throughout the ages. It serves as a captivating mirror, reflecting the intricacies of our troubled society and our complex selves.

These plays, spanning the ages of mankind, transport us through the ebb and flow of time, condensing our existence into the captivating three hours of the stage. Within these narratives, the characters etched by Shakespeare have left an indelible mark on our perception of politics, war, consciousness, morality, love, and death. Peter Conrad delves into the profound world-view of these plays, exploring their generic originality and the astonishingly inventive language employed by Shakespeare. He further explores Shakespeare's global legacy, as his characters transcend boundaries and are reimagined by subsequent writers, painters, composers, choreographers, and film-makers.

The enduring impact of Shakespeare's work is a testament to his unparalleled genius and his ability to capture the essence of the human experience. His plays continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, reminding us of our shared humanity and the timeless themes that transcend time and culture. As we immerse ourselves in his timeless tales, we are transported to new realms of understanding and empathy, forever shaped by the profound wisdom and artistry of Shakespeare.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 198 x 151 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788540179