The Taming Of The Shrew (The Arden Shakespeare: Second Series)

Brian Morris was Professor of English Literature at Sheffield University and a general editor of both the Arden Shakespeare and the New Mermaid Dramatists series. His other publications include editions of the plays of John Ford and the poems of John Cleveland. Morris’s introduction begins with a discussion of the text as it first appeared in the First Folio of 1623. In the next section, he analyzes the problematic relationship between The Taming of the Shrew and The Taming of a Shrew, a different play which first appeared in text 29 years before the First Folio, and whose virtually identical name has caused much confusion. Morris then considers the date, sources, and authorship of the play, addressing the question of whether Shakespeare himself wrote it. In the last and most substantial part of the introduction, the editor examines the play’s structures, themes (such as education, love, and marriage), and afterlife. Three appendices follow the text of the play: evidence to establish the relationship of The Shrew and A Shrew, from Samuel Hickson; the Sly scenes in A Shrew; and a source (from Gascoigne’s Supposes) and analogues.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. Brian Morris was Professor of English Literature at Sheffield University and a general editor of both the Arden Shakespeare & the New Mermaid Dramatists series. His other publications include editions of the plays of John Ford & the poems of John Cleveland. Morris’s introduction begins with a discussion of the text as it first appeared in the First Folio of 1623. In the next section, he analyzes the problematic relationship between The Taming of the Shrew and The Taming of a Shrew, a different play which first appeared in text 29 years before the First Folio, & whose virtually identical name has caused much confusion. Morris then considers the date, sources, & authorship of the play, addressing the question of whether Shakespeare himself wrote it. In the last and most substantial part of the introduction, the editor examines the play’s structures, themes (such as education, love, and marriage), & afterlife. Three appendices follow the text of the play: evidence to establish the relationship of The Shrew & A Shrew, from Samuel Hickson; the Sly scenes in A Shrew; & a source (from Gascoigne’s Supposes) & analogues. 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 & culture that surrounded & influenced Shakespeare at the time of its writing & performance, & closely surveying critical approaches to the work. Detailed appendices address problems like dating and casting, & analyze the differing Quarto & Folio sources. A full commentary by one or more of the play’s foremost contemporary scholars illuminates the text, glossing unfamiliar terms & drawing from an abundance of research & expertise to explain allusions and significant background information. Highly informative a Cover......Page 1 Copyright page......Page 6 Contents......Page 9 Preface......Page 11 Acknowledgements......Page 12 1. Editions......Page 13 2. Textual Commentaries......Page 14 4. Periodicals......Page 15 1. The text......Page 17 The Copy......Page 18 2. The Shrew and A Shrew......Page 28 3. The date......Page 66 4. Authorship and sources......Page 81 Its Afterlife......Page 104 Structures......Page 120 Education......Page 145 Metamorphosis......Page 149 Love and marriage......Page 152 The Taming Of The Shrew......Page 167 Dramatis Personne......Page 168 1......Page 169 2......Page 178 1......Page 187 2......Page 200 1......Page 213 1......Page 234 2......Page 239 1......Page 255 2......Page 268 3......Page 274 4......Page 285 5......Page 291 1......Page 295 2......Page 303 Appendix I Evidence to establish the relationship of The Shrew and A Shrew, from Samuel Hickson......Page 315 Appendix II The Sly scenes in A Shrew......Page 319 Appendix III A source and analogues......Page 322 This play within a play is a delightful farce about a fortune hunter who marries and tames" the town shrew. The comedy, often produced today because of its accessibility, is one of the plays Shakespeare intended for the general public rather than for the nobility. CliffsComplete combines the full original text of The Taming of the Shrew with a helpful glossary and CliffsNotes-quality commentary into one volume. You will find:A unique pedagogical approach that combines the complete original text with expert commentary following each sceneA descriptive bibliography and historical background on the author, the times, and the work itselfAn improved character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the charactersSidebar glossaries" The Arden Shakespeare has long been acclaimed as the established scholarly edition of Shakespeare's work. Now being totally reedited for the third time, Arden editions offer the very best in contemporary scholarship. Each volume provides a clear and authoritative text, edited to the highest standards; detailed textual notes and commentary on the same page of the text; full contextual, illustrated introduction, including an in-depth survey of critical and performance approaches to the play; and selected bibliography. This book includes a general introduction to Shakespeare's life and Elizabethan theatre, a seperate introduction to Pericles, a chronology, suggestions for further reading, an essay discussing performance options on both stage and screen, and a commentary. "The Arden Shakespeare is the definitive edition of Shakespeare's work. Justly celebrated for its authoritative scholarship and invaluable commentary, Arden guides you to a richer understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays." -- Back cover CHRISTOPHER SLY for a range of sly's manifestations, see Introduction pp. 51-64.