Henry VIII (Signet Classics) - Softcover

Shakespeare, William

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0451508505 ISBN 13: 9780451508508

Publisher: Signet Classics, 1967

Synopsis

Desperate for a son and heir, King Henry VIII risks both his realm and his immortal soul when he divorces Katherine of Aragon in favour of Anne “Bullen.” The last of Shakespeare’s histories, Henry VIII remains famous for more than just its subject matter—a mishap during the performance of the play resulted in the original Globe theatre burning to the ground.William Shakespeare was an English poet, playwright, and actor, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world’s pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England’s national poet and the “Bard of Avon”. His extant works, including some collaborations, consist of about 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, and a few other verses, of which the authorship of some is uncertain. His plays have been translated into every major living language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Shakespeare produced most of his known work between 1589 and 1613. His early plays were mainly comedies and histories and these works remain regarded as some of the best work produced in these genres. He then wrote mainly tragedies until about 1608, including Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth, considered some of the finest works in the English language. In his last phase, he wrote tragicomedies, also known as romances, and collaborated with other playwrights.

About this title

From AudioFile

[Editor's Note: The following is a combined review with LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST and THE WINTER'S TALE.]--Two of these productions in the Arkangel series are good, and the third is truly exceptional. LOVE'S LABOUR'S LOST concerns ascetic and naive young men who renounce the company of women only to meet their perfect mates soon after. Alex Jennings and Emma Fielding are superior as the lovers Berowne and Rosaline. The satire of courtiers and fops is also handled well, though ongoing wordplay is something of an acquired taste. The only lapse is the intrusive sound effects in outdoor scenes (flies buzzing, birds chirping). The fine production of HENRY VIII, about the king's effort to marry Anne Boleyn, infuses much more life into this stately, pageant-like play than one might expect from the text. Clive Brill, who directs the entire series, orchestrates a lifelike sound design that even includes the murmurs of agreement or dismay of listening characters. These undertones function like reaction shots in a movie. In HENRY VIII, they clarify the various court factions and intrigues. In THE WINTER'S TALE, Shakespeare's late romance about jealousy and time's restorative power, they add subtlety to an emotionally charged production. The voices in this recording are richly infused with personality, especially those of John Gielgud and Alex Jennings, who is a comic triumph as the rogue Autolycus. Gielgud performs the 32-line part of Time the Chorus, and his age-enfeebled voice resonates hauntingly. Clive Brill and his cast show why THE WINTER'S TALE has such an impressive stage history in as fine a recording of Shakespeare as you're likely to encounter. G.H. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Edition details

• Publisher: Signet Classics
• Publication date: 1967
• ISBN 10: 0451508505
• ISBN 13: 9780451508508
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English