books tagged “history plays”

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Cliffscomplete King Henry IV
by Sidney Lamb, Michael McMahon

ISBN 0764585703 (0-7645-8570-3)
Softcover, John Wiley & Sons Inc

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Book summary:
In the CliffsComplete guides, the novel's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature.
CliffsComplete King Henry IV, Part 1 follows the play's alternating comic and serious scenes as a young prince rebels against his father, who happens to be king, until he must go to the king's aid to stamp out the rebellion of nobles.
Discover a story of self-sacrifice and meet one of the theatre's most enduring comic characters, Falstaff and save valuable studying time all at once. Enhance your reading of King Henry IV with these additional features:
A summary and insightful commentary for each chapter
Bibliography and historical background on the author, William Shakespeare
A look at Early Modern England intellectual, religious, political, and social context
Coverage of key themes and use of language within the work
A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters
Review questions, a quiz, discussion guide, and activity ideas
A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Web sites
Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!
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- Cliffscomplete King Henry IV: ISBN 0764585703 (0-7645-8570-3)
  Softcover, John Wiley & Sons Inc
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The First Part of Henry the Fourth, With the Life and Death of Henry Sirnamed Hot-spurre
by William Shakespeare, Neil Freeman

ISBN 1557834172 (1-55783-417-2)
Softcover, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books

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Written between 1596 and 1597, Henry IV Part One represents Shakespeare's increasingly mature talent in staging the history of the early Tudor monarchy. Midway in the cycle of Shakespeare's History Plays, which begin with Richard II and ultimately culminate in his last play, Henry VIII, Henry IV Part One tells the story of the troubled reign of Henry IV following his deposition of Richard II. The historical action revolves around the attempt by Henry Percy (known as Hotspur) to overthrow Henry at the Battle of Shrewsbury. However, over half the play deals with the transformation of Henry's profligate son, Prince Hal (the future King Henry V), from tavern joker to national icon.
The whole play is stolen from its kings and princes by Shakespeare's greatest comic creation, the "fat-kidneyed rascal" Sir John Falstaff, king of his own dominions--the taverns and brothels of London's Eastcheap district. The tavern scenes of the play are some of the most evocative accounts of 16th-century popular London life. They revolve around the comical but ultimately sinister relationship between Falstaff and his young apprentice Hal, who learns to "so offend to make offence a skill" as he learns the slippery ropes of realpolitik and kingship. The play is considered by many to be the liveliest and most profound of Shakespeare's History Plays, and remains one of its most popular examples. --Jerry Brotton [via]
More editions of The First Part of Henry the Fourth, With the Life and Death of Henry Sirnamed Hot-spurre:
- The First Part of Henry the Fourth, With the Life and Death of Henry Sirnamed Hot-spurre: ISBN 1557834172 (1-55783-417-2)
  Softcover, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
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Henry the Fourth, Part One / William Shakespeare ; Fully Annotated, with an Introduction by Burton Raffel ; with an Essay by Harold Bloom
by William Shakespeare, Harold Bloom, Burton Raffel

ISBN 030010815X (0-300-10815-X)
Softcover, Yale Univ Pr

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While England is threatened by the Earl of Northumberland, Young Prince Hal cavorts in London's taverns, accompanied by the dissolute, entertaining Falstaff and his band of rogues. Much of this play's tension involves Prince Hal and Falstaff, as the former tries to live up to his duties and responsibilities. In creating Falstaff Shakespeare gave us one of the theater's most enduring and memorable characters.
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More editions of Henry the Fourth, Part One / William Shakespeare ; Fully Annotated, with an Introduction by Burton Raffel ; with an Essay by Harold Bloom:
- Henry the Fourth, Part One / William Shakespeare ; Fully Annotated, with an Introduction by Burton Raffel ; with an Essay by Harold Bloom: ISBN 030010815X (0-300-10815-X)
  Softcover, Yale Univ Pr
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Henry 4, Part 1
by Roma Gill

ISBN 019831969X (0-19-831969-X)
Softcover, Oxford Univ Pr

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Written between 1596 and 1597, Henry IV Part One represents Shakespeare's increasingly mature talent in staging the history of the early Tudor monarchy. Midway in the cycle of Shakespeare's History Plays, which begin with Richard II and ultimately culminate in his last play, Henry VIII, Henry IV Part One tells the story of the troubled reign of Henry IV following his deposition of Richard II. The historical action revolves around the attempt by Henry Percy (known as Hotspur) to overthrow Henry at the Battle of Shrewsbury. However, over half the play deals with the transformation of Henry's profligate son, Prince Hal (the future King Henry V), from tavern joker to national icon.
The whole play is stolen from its kings and princes by Shakespeare's greatest comic creation, the "fat-kidneyed rascal" Sir John Falstaff, king of his own dominions--the taverns and brothels of London's Eastcheap district. The tavern scenes of the play are some of the most evocative accounts of 16th-century popular London life. They revolve around the comical but ultimately sinister relationship between Falstaff and his young apprentice Hal, who learns to "so offend to make offence a skill" as he learns the slippery ropes of realpolitik and kingship. The play is considered by many to be the liveliest and most profound of Shakespeare's History Plays, and remains one of its most popular examples. --Jerry Brotton [via]
More editions of Henry 4, Part 1:
- Henry 4, Part 1: ISBN 019831969X (0-19-831969-X)
  Softcover, Oxford Univ Pr
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Henry V
by William Shakespeare

ISBN 1420926292 (1-4209-2629-2)
Softcover, Digireads.Com

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Book summary:
"Cry, 'God for Harry! England and Saint George!'" Henry's V's rallying cry to his soldiers before Harfleur has become an iconic rallying cry for English nationalism. More than any other Shakespeare play, Henry V has been seen to define what it means to be English in its account of Henry's triumphant victory over vastly superior French forces in 1415. The play has been endlessly quoted by politicians as an incitement to patriotism, and Laurence Olivier's ground-breaking film of the play was dedicated to the Allied soldiers who landed in France on D-Day in 1944.
More recently critics have questioned the extent to which the play is simply a piece of nationalist propaganda, pointing to the more ambivalent reflections on the cost of war voiced by various characters throughout the play. As one of Henry's soldiers reflects on the eve of the Battle of Agincourt, "if the cause be not good, the King himself hath a heavy reckoning to make". Henry himself has already been defined as a cunning and rather unsympathetic character in Henry IV Parts One and Two, and his cynical manipulation of patriotism in his pursuit of military glory is incisively undercut by the Irishman Macmorris' poignant question as to "What ish my nation?" This more ambivalent dimension of the play is most effectively captured in Kenneth Branagh's post-Falklands film, Henry V, which portrays a king much more aware of the dreadful consequences of going to war. Branagh's film suggests that Henry V ultimately questions, rather than endorses the glory of going into battle for one's country. --Jerry Brotton [via]
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Henry V
by H.M. Hulme

ISBN 0582527236 (0-582-52723-6)
Softcover, Dearborn Trade Pub

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- Henry V: ISBN 0582527236 (0-582-52723-6)
  Softcover, Dearborn Trade Pub
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Henry V
by Roma Gill

ISBN 0198319800 (0-19-831980-0)
Softcover, Oxford Univ Pr

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[series copy] This exclusive collection of the Bard's works has been designed specifically for readers new to Shakespeare's rich literary legacy. Each of the plays is presented unabridged and in large print, copiously annotated and preceded by a character summary and commentary. Brief scene synopses clarify confusing plots, while incisive essays describe the historical context and Shakespeare's sources. The explanatory notes are written clearly and simply, illustrated, and positioned right next to the text--no more flipping pages back and forth to squint over microscopic footnotes! Topics for further discussion, critical comments, related essays, and a chronology of Shakespeare's life and work are included among the appendices to each volume. The books boast fine black and white photographs of stagings of the plays at Shakespeare Festivals around the globe. From the wide margins and big print to the extensive explanatory notes--the full text of each play is presented in the clearest and most accessible format available. [via]
More editions of Henry V:
- Henry V: ISBN 0198319800 (0-19-831980-0)
  Softcover, Oxford Univ Pr
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The History of Henry the Fourth, Part 1
by William Shaespeare

ISBN 0671733559 (0-671-73355-9)
Softcover, Pocket Books

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- The History of Henry the Fourth, Part 1: ISBN 0671733559 (0-671-73355-9)
  Softcover, Pocket Books
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The History of Henry Iv, Part I
by William Shakespeare

ISBN 0451524055 (0-451-52405-5)
Softcover, New Amer Library Classics

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Book summary:
Written between 1596 and 1597, Henry IV Part One represents Shakespeare's increasingly mature talent in staging the history of the early Tudor monarchy. Midway in the cycle of Shakespeare's History Plays, which begin with Richard II and ultimately culminate in his last play, Henry VIII, Henry IV Part One tells the story of the troubled reign of Henry IV following his deposition of Richard II. The historical action revolves around the attempt by Henry Percy (known as Hotspur) to overthrow Henry at the Battle of Shrewsbury. However, over half the play deals with the transformation of Henry's profligate son, Prince Hal (the future King Henry V), from tavern joker to national icon.
The whole play is stolen from its kings and princes by Shakespeare's greatest comic creation, the "fat-kidneyed rascal" Sir John Falstaff, king of his own dominions--the taverns and brothels of London's Eastcheap district. The tavern scenes of the play are some of the most evocative accounts of 16th-century popular London life. They revolve around the comical but ultimately sinister relationship between Falstaff and his young apprentice Hal, who learns to "so offend to make offence a skill" as he learns the slippery ropes of realpolitik and kingship. The play is considered by many to be the liveliest and most profound of Shakespeare's History Plays, and remains one of its most popular examples. --Jerry Brotton [via]
More editions of The History of Henry Iv, Part I:
- The History of Henry Iv, Part I: ISBN 0451524055 (0-451-52405-5)
  Softcover, New Amer Library Classics
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King Henry IV
by A.R. Humphreys

ISBN 1904271057 (1-904271-05-7)
Softcover, Thomson Learning

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Book summary:
This updated edition offers a strongly theatrical perspective on the origins of Shakespeare's The First Part of King Henry IV and the history of its interpretation. The introduction clarifies the play's surprising, de-centred dramatic structure, questioning the dominant assumption that the drama focuses on the education of Prince Hal. It calls attention to the effects of civil war upon a broad range of relationships. Falstaff's unpredictable vitality is explored, together with important contemporary values of honour, friendship, festivity and reformation. Extensive lexical glosses of obscure, ambiguous or archaic meanings make the rich wordplay accessible. The notes also provide a thorough commentary on Shakespeare's transformation of his sources (particularly Holinshed's Chronicles) and suggest alternative stagings. This updated edition contains a new introductory section by Katharine A. Craik, which describes recent stage, film and critical interpretations, and an updated reading list. [via]
More editions of King Henry IV:
- King Henry IV: ISBN 0174436106 (0-17-443610-6)
  Softcover, Thomson Learning
- King Henry IV: ISBN 1904271057 (1-904271-05-7)
  Softcover, Thomson Learning
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King Henry IV
by David Scott Kastan

ISBN 1904271359 (1-904271-35-9)
Softcover, Arden Shakespeare

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Book summary:
David Scott Kastan lucidly explores the remarkable richness and the ambitious design of King Henry IV Part 1 and shows how these complicate any easy sense of what kind of play it is. Conventionally regarded as a history play, much of it is in fact conspicuously invented fiction, and Kastan argues that the non-historical, comic plot does not simply parody the historical action but by its existence raises questions about the very nature of history. The full and engaging introduction devotes extensive discussion to the play's language, indicating how its insistent economic vocabulary provides texture for the social concerns of the play and focuses attention on the central relationship between value and political authority. Kastan also covers the recurrence of the word "honor" in the text and the role that women play. Appendices provide the sources of 1 Henry IV, discussions of Shakespeare's metrics, and the history of the manuscript. The appendix on casting features a doubling chart to show which characters may be played by one actor. Photographic images of the original Q0 Fragment, which is assumed to have been printed in Peter Short's printing house in 1598, appear in the fifth appendix. Finally, a reference section provides a list of abbreviations and references, a catalog of Shakespeares works and works partly by Shakespeare, and citations for the modern productions mentioned in the text, other collated editions of Shakespeare's work, and other related reading.

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 plays 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.
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More editions of King Henry IV:
- King Henry IV: ISBN 1904271359 (1-904271-35-9)
  Softcover, Arden Shakespeare
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King Henry V
by Andrew Gurr

ISBN 0521612640 (0-521-61264-0)
Softcover, Cambridge Univ Pr

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Book summary:
For this updated edition of Shakespeare's most celebrated war play, Andrew Gurr has added a new section to his introduction which considers recent critical and stage interpretations. He analyzes the play's double vision of Henry as both military hero and self-seeking individual and demonstrates how the patriotic declarations of the Chorus are contradicted by the play's action. Gurr analyzes the play's more controversial sequences in the context of Elizabethan thought, in particular, the studies of the laws and morality of war written in the years before Henry V. An updated reading list completes the edition. First Edition Hb (1992) 0-521-22154-4 First Edition Pb (1992) 0-521-29369-3 [via]
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- King Henry V: ISBN 0521612640 (0-521-61264-0)
  Softcover, Cambridge Univ Pr
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King Richard II
by William Shakespeare

ISBN 1853260428 (1-85326-042-8)
Softcover, Wordsworth Editions Ltd

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Book summary:
The Arden Shakespeare is the established edition of Shakespeare's work. Justly celebrated for its authoritative scholarship and invaluable commentary, Arden guides you a richer understanding and appreciation of Shakespeare's plays. This edition of King Richard III provides, a clear and authoritative text, detailed notes and commentary on the same page as the text, a full introduction discussing the critical and historical background to the play and appendices presenting sources and relevant extracts. [via]
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King Richard II
by Charles R. Forker

ISBN 1903436338 (1-903436-33-8)
Softcover, Arden Shakespeare

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Book summary:
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 plays 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
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More editions of King Richard II:
- King Richard II: ISBN 1903436338 (1-903436-33-8)
  Softcover, Arden Shakespeare
King Richard II
by Margaret Shewring

ISBN 0719046262 (0-7190-4626-2)
Softcover, Manchester University Press

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- King Richard II: ISBN 0719046262 (0-7190-4626-2)
  Softcover, Manchester University Press
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King Richard III: The Tragedy of
by William Shakespeare

ISBN 185326055X (1-85326-055-X)
Softcover, Wordsworth Edition

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Book summary:
"A quite wonderful ideaSo blindingly obvious, I can't understand why nobody had thought of it before. I will certainly use the texts myself."-- Sir Peter Hall
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More editions of King Richard III: The Tragedy of:
- King Richard III: The Tragedy of: ISBN 1854596462 (1-85459-646-2)
  Softcover, Theatre Communications Group
- King Richard III: The Tragedy of: ISBN 185326055X (1-85326-055-X)
  Softcover, Wordsworth Edition
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The Life and Death of King Richard the Second
by William Shakespare, Neil Freeman

ISBN 1557833931 (1-55783-393-1)
Softcover, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books

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Book summary:
If there has ever been a groundbreaking edition that likewise returns the reader to the original Shakespeare text, it will be THE APPLAUSE FOLIO TEXTS. If there has ever been an accessible version of the Folio, it is this edition, set for the first time in modern fonts. The Folio is the source of all other editions. The Folio text forces us to re-examine the assumptions and prejudices which have encumbered over four hundred years of scholarship and performance. Notes refer the reader to subsequent editorial interventions, and offer the reader a multiplicity of interpretations. Notes also advise the reader on variations between Folios and Quartos. Prepared and annotated by Neil Freeman, Head, Graduate Directing Program, University of British Columbia. [via]
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- The Life and Death of King Richard the Second: ISBN 1557833931 (1-55783-393-1)
  Softcover, Applause Theatre & Cinema Books
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The Life of King Henry the Fifth
by William Shakespeare, Claire McEachern

ISBN 0140714588 (0-14-071458-8)
Softcover, Penguin Group USA

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Classic Book for the Kindle: The Life of King Henry the Fifth by William Shakespeare

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We are pleased to offer thousands of books for the Kindle, including thousands of hard-to-find literature and classic fiction books. Click on our Editor Name (eBook-Ventures) next to the book title above to view all of the titles that are currently available.
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Love's Labour's Lost, the Winter's Tale, Othello, King Henry
by William Shakespeare, A. L. Rowse

ISBN 0819139289 (0-8191-3928-9)
Hardcover, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated

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More editions of Love's Labour's Lost, the Winter's Tale, Othello, King Henry:
- Love's Labour's Lost, the Winter's Tale, Othello, King Henry: ISBN 0819139289 (0-8191-3928-9)
  Hardcover, Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated
Richard II
by Kenneth Muir

ISBN 0451522176 (0-451-52217-6)
Softcover, New Amer Library

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- Richard II: ISBN 0451522176 (0-451-52217-6)
  Softcover, New Amer Library
Shakespeare Set Free Pt. 1: Hamlet and Henry IV
by Peggy O'Brien, Jane Rosenman, William Shakespeare

ISBN 0671760483 (0-671-76048-3)
Softcover, Simon & Schuster

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More editions of Shakespeare Set Free Pt. 1: Hamlet and Henry IV:
- Shakespeare Set Free Pt. 1: Hamlet and Henry IV: ISBN 0671760483 (0-671-76048-3)
  Softcover, Simon & Schuster
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The Tragedy of King Richard the Second
by William Shakespeare

ISBN 0451527194 (0-451-52719-4)
Softcover, Signet Classic

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Book summary:
One of Shakespeare's finest history plays, Richard II deals with one of the most sensitive and politically explosive issues of its day--the rights and wrongs of deposing a legitimately appointed king. Forerunner to the two parts of Henry IV, the play deals with the abdication of King Richard II in 1399, the subsequent succession of Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV, and Richard's death in the spring of 1400. But the play has been celebrated above and beyond its stature as historical drama. Richard II begins with a portrait of Richard as a pompous, arrogant and self-regarding sovereign, with little sense of his people or his political responsibilities. As he consistently miscalculates in his attempts to destroy Bolingbroke, and watches his own power wane, he becomes a far more appealing, Hamlet-like figure, more interested in "talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs", and "sad stories of the death of kings". Richard's speeches become increasingly lyrical and poetic as his supporters desert him, until he finally takes on the stature of the pilloried Christ in the climax of the play, the deposition scene, one of the most politically risky scenes in all of Shakespeare. The play remains most famous for John of Gaunt's "This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle" speech, but historians believe that the play was also performed in the streets of London in 1601 in support of the Earl of Essex's attempt to depose Elizabeth I. Whilst the plot failed, it showed the power of the theatre of the time, and the politically controversial nature of Shakespeare's play. --Jerry Brotton [via]
More editions of The Tragedy of King Richard the Second:
- The Tragedy of King Richard the Second: ISBN 0140714065 (0-14-071406-5)
  Softcover, Penguin USA
- The Tragedy of King Richard the Second: With New and Updated Critical Essays and a Revised Bibliography: ISBN 0451527194 (0-451-52719-4)
  Softcover, Signet Classic
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The Tragedy of Richard the Second
by William Shakespeare, Frances E. Dolan

ISBN 0140714820 (0-14-071482-0)
Softcover, Penguin Group USA

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Book summary:
One of Shakespeare's finest history plays, Richard II deals with one of the most sensitive and politically explosive issues of its day--the rights and wrongs of deposing a legitimately appointed king. Forerunner to the two parts of Henry IV, the play deals with the abdication of King Richard II in 1399, the subsequent succession of Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV, and Richard's death in the spring of 1400. But the play has been celebrated above and beyond its stature as historical drama. Richard II begins with a portrait of Richard as a pompous, arrogant and self-regarding sovereign, with little sense of his people or his political responsibilities. As he consistently miscalculates in his attempts to destroy Bolingbroke, and watches his own power wane, he becomes a far more appealing, Hamlet-like figure, more interested in "talk of graves, of worms and epitaphs", and "sad stories of the death of kings". Richard's speeches become increasingly lyrical and poetic as his supporters desert him, until he finally takes on the stature of the pilloried Christ in the climax of the play, the deposition scene, one of the most politically risky scenes in all of Shakespeare. The play remains most famous for John of Gaunt's "This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle" speech, but historians believe that the play was also performed in the streets of London in 1601 in support of the Earl of Essex's attempt to depose Elizabeth I. Whilst the plot failed, it showed the power of the theatre of the time, and the politically controversial nature of Shakespeare's play. --Jerry Brotton [via]
More editions of The Tragedy of Richard the Second:
- The Tragedy of Richard the Second: ISBN 0671531425 (0-671-53142-5)
  Softcover, Pocket Books
- The Tragedy of Richard the Second: ISBN 0140714820 (0-14-071482-0)
  Softcover, Penguin Group USA
The Tragedy of Richard II
by William Shakespeare

ISBN 0613025237 (0-613-02523-7)
Hardcover, Bt Bound

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More editions of The Tragedy of Richard II:
- The Tragedy of Richard II: ISBN 0613025237 (0-613-02523-7)
  Hardcover, Bt Bound

Spanish

Ricardo III / Richard III
by William Shakespeare, William MacPherson

ISBN 8441402086 (84-414-0208-6)
Softcover, Edaf Antillas

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More editions of Ricardo III / Richard III:
- Ricardo III / Richard III: ISBN 8441402086 (84-414-0208-6)
  Softcover, Edaf Antillas

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