King Edward III

by William Shakespeare , Edited by Giorgio Melchiori

• ISBN13: 9780521596732
• ISBN10: 0521596734
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-03-28
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Edward III is a major addition to the Shakespearean canon, and is published here for the first time in an authoritative edition of Shakespeare's works. Presenting this fully-annotated, modern-spelling text of Edward III, Giorgio Melchiori does not claim that Shakespeare is the sole author, but author of a significant part of the play, the extent of which is discussed in detail. The introduction explores the historical background and the genesis of the play in the context of contemporary theatrical practice and of Shakespeare's own early cycle of history plays. It stresses the original ideological stance and the theatrical qualities of the play as a whole. The commentary examines in depth the play's linguistic and poetical features, while an extensive appendix on the use of sources explains the stages of its composition.

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	vii
Preface	ix
List of abbreviations and conventions	xi
Introduction	1	(2)
Date and destination	3	(6)
Authorship	9	(8)
The genesis of Edward III: a Garter Play	17	(8)
From sources to structure	25	(11)
The final version of the Countess scenes: ideological ambiguity	36	(3)
The play in the context of the histories	39	(6)
The play on the stage	45	(14)
Note on the text	52	(4)
List of characters	56	(3)
The Play	59	(119)
Textual analysis	171	(7)
Appendix: The use of sources	178	(38)
Act 1	178	(10)
Act 2	188	(11)
Act 3	199	(8)
Acts 4 and 5	207	(9)
The Reign of King Edward III rearranged according to historical chronology	216	(1)
Reading list	217