Shakespeare's Editors and Commentators (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

William Robson Arrowsmith

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0265586526 ISBN 13: 9780265586525

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

Discover how Shakespeare’s text and performance have been shaped by editors and commentators across centuries.

This concise, scholarly guide examines the history of Shakespearean editing—from early printers to later critics—and explains how changes to language, stage practice, and interpretation have influenced reading and acting today. It connects textual decisions with the way audiences have experienced the plays, helping readers understand why some lines look different in modern editions and what those edits mean for performance.

The book surveys key moments in Shakespearean editing, noting how editors and printers sometimes altered or misread passages, and how readers have learned to discern genuine language from later restorations. It also discusses the craft of acting in Shakespeare’s time and how criticism has evolved to recognize the drama’s broad, universal aims. By tracing the relationship between text, interpretation, and performance, this edition clarifies why faithful reading and informed viewing matter for students, scholars, and actors alike.

• See how printing errors and deliberate edits changed the way we read Shakespeare today.
• Learn how editors’ choices influence understanding of rhythm, meaning, and diction.
• Explore how acting styles and critical opinions have evolved alongside the text.
• Gain practical context for studying Shakespeare in classrooms or rehearsal rooms.

Ideal for readers of Shakespeare scholarship, students of literature, and actors seeking deeper insight into how editions shape performance and interpretation of the plays.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0265586526
• ISBN 13: 9780265586525
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 330