The second part of King Henry IV
By: William Shakespeare ; edited by Giorgio Melchiori
Contributors: Melchiori, Giorgio
Edition: Updated ed
Series: The new Cambridge Shakespeare
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Published: 2007
Place of publication: Cambridge
Language: eng
Number of pages: 266
ISBN-13: 9780521869263; 9780521689502
Subjects: Shakespeare, William, -- 1564-1616; Henry -- IV, -- King of England, -- 1367-1413. -- Drama; Great Britain -- History -- Henry IV, 1399-1413 -- Drama
Genres: Drama
Work titles: Henry IV, part 2
Description: "Giorgio Melchiori offers a fresh approach to the text of The Second Part of King Henry IV, which he sees as an unplanned sequel to the First Part, itself a 'remake' of an old, non-Shakespearean play. The Second Part deliberately exploits the popular success of Sir John Falstaff, introduced in Part One; the resulting rich humour gives a comic dimension to the play which makes it a unique blend of history, Morality play and comedy. Among modern editions of the play this is the one most firmly based on the quarto.

It presents an eminently actable text, by showing how Shakespeare's own choices are superior for practical purposes to suggested emendations, and by keeping interference in the original stage directions to a minimum, in order to respect, as Shakespeare did, the players' freedom. This updated edition includes a new introductory section by Adam Hansen describing recent stage, film and critical interpretations."--BOOK JACKET.
Notes: Previous ed.: 1989

Includes bibliographical references