The Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Hardy: Volume IV: The Dynasts, Parts First and Second

Thomas Hardy

ISBN 10: 0198127855 / ISBN 13: 9780198127857

Published by Oxford University Press, GB, 1995

About this Item

Volumes IV and V of the Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Hardy, which complete the edition, contain all of his dramatic writing in verse. Hardy was interested in dramatic verse all his adult life; before he wrote his first novel he considered writing plays in blank verse, and during the thirty years of his novel-writing career he entered in his notebooks many schemes for a vast poetic drama of England's wars with Napoleon. But is was not until after he had turned from fiction to poetry, in the 1890s, that he actually began to work on a poetic drama. The Dynasts was written between 1902 and 1907; The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall was begun in 1916 and completed in 1923.In addition to the two major dramas this volume includes Hardy's versions of two folk-pieces: the Mummers' Play of 'Saint George' and the rustic operetta O'Jan, O'Jan, O'Jan' (here published for the first time). Textual annotations, together with a full account of the rough draft of Part third of The Dynasts, make it possible for the reader to follow the history of the composition of Hardy's epic drama in unusual detail. Explanatory notes to each of the dramatic works describe its composition and publication, and provide supporting material from Hardy's letters and notebooks.Appendices add further information on the production and performance of these works.

Seller Inventory # LU-9780198127857

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Hardy: Volume IV: The Dynasts, Parts First and Second
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, GB
• Publication Date: 1995
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198127855
• ISBN 13: 9780198127857
• Binding: Hardback
• Condition: New
• Weight: 669 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Volumes IV and V of the Complete Poetical Works of Thomas Hardy, which complete the edition, contain all of his dramatic works in verse. In addition to the two major dramas--The Dynasts and The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall--these volumes include Hardy's versions of two folk-pieces and the rustic operetta "O Jan, O Jan, O Jan" (here published for the first time).

About the Author

Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) is one of England's greatest novelists. Most of his work is set in his native Dorset, on the south coast of England. Samuel Hynes is at Princeton University.