King Richard II (Arden Shakespeare, Third Series)

This richly annotated edition takes a fresh look at the first part of Shakespeare's second tetralogy of history plays, showing how it relates to the other plays in the sequence. Forker places the play in its political context, discussing its relation to competing theories of monarchy, how it faced censorship because of possible comparisons between Richard II and Elizabeth I, and how Bolingbroke's rebellion could be compared to the Essex rising of the time. This edition also reconsiders Shakespeare's use of sources, asking why he chose to emphasize one approach over another. Forker also looks at the play's rich afterlife, and the many interpretations that actors and directors have taken. Finally, the edition looks closely at the aesthetic relationship between language, character, structure, and political import. A textual analysis of the play's eight early editions, a doubling chart for casting, and geneological tables are included as appendices.

The Arden Shakespeare has developed a reputation as the pre-eminent critical edition of Shakespeare for its exceptional scholarship, reflected in the thoroughness of each volume. An introduction comprehensively contextualizes the play, chronicling the history and culture that surrounded and influenced Shakespeare at the time of its writing and performance, and closely surveying critical approaches to the work. Detailed appendices address problems like dating and casting, and analyze the differing Quarto and Folio sources. A full commentary by one or more of the play’s foremost contemporary scholars illuminates the text, glossing unfamiliar terms and drawing from an abundance of research and expertise to explain allusions and significant background information. Highly informative and accessible, Arden offers the fullest experience of Shakespeare available to a reader.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations General Editors' Preface Preface Introduction
   Politics
     Historical Context and the Issue of Topicality
     The Connection with Essex
     Ideology: Competing Conceptions of Monarchy
     Characterization: Attitudes towards Richard and Bolingbroke
     Politics in Seventeenth- and Eighteenth- Century Stagings
   Language
     Style
     Imagery, Major Themes, Symbolism, Patterns of Allusion
     Rhetoric
   Afterlife
   The Date
     The Relation to Edward II and Woodstock
     Richard II and the Second Tetralogy
   Probable Venues of Early Performance
   Sources
     Holinshed
     Hall
     The Mirror for Magistrates
     Daniel
     Woodstock
     Froissart; Creton; Traison
     Edward II
     Minor Sources
   Text THE TRAGEDY OF KING RICHARD THE SECOND Longer Notes Appendices
 1 Textual Analysis
 2 Doubling Chart
 3 Genealogical Tables Abbreviations and references
 Abbreviations used in notes
 Works by and partly by Shakespeare
 Editions of Shakespeare collated or referred to
 Other works
 Modern stage and television productions cited Index

This richly annotated edition takes a fresh look at the first part of Shakespeare's second tetralogy of history plays, showing how it relates to the other plays in the sequence. Forker places the play in its political context, discussing its relation to competing theories of monarchy, looking at how it faced censorship because of possible comparisons between Richard II and Elizabeth I, and how Bolingbroke's rebellion could be compared to the Essex rising of the time. This edition also reconsiders Shakespeare's use of sources, asking why he chose to emphasise one approach over another. Forker also looks at the play's rich afterlife, and the many interpretations that actors and directors have taken. Finally, the edition looks closely at the aesthetic relationship between language, character, structure and political import.

The Arden Shakespeare is the established scholarly edition of Shakespeare's plays. Now in its third series, Arden offers the best in contemporary scholarship. Each volume guides you to a deeper understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's work.

This edition of King Richard II provides:

• A clear and authoritative text, edited to the highest standards of scholarship.
• Detailed notes and commentary on the same page as the text.
• A full, illustrated introduction to the play's historical, cultural and performance contexts.
• An in-depth survey of critical approaches to the play.
• A full index to the introduction and notes.
• A select bibliography of references and further reading.

With a wealth of helpful and incisive commentary, the Arden Shakespeare is the finest edition of Shakespeare you can find.

Charles R. Forker is Professor of English Emeritus at Indiana University, Bloomington. His many publications include critical editions of Shirley's The Cardinal and Marlowe's Edward II, and a major study of the works of Webster, Skull Beneath the Skin: The Achievement of John Webster. His most recent work is a study of Shakespeare's Richard II, entitled Shakespeare: The Critical Tradition: 'Richard II'.