The First Quarto of Romeo and Juliet [Paperback]

A full edition of the first quarto of Romeo and Juliet (1597), with helpful commentary.Two different versions of Romeo and Juliet were published during Shakespeares lifetime: the second quarto of 1599, on which modern editions are usually based, and the first quarto of 1597. A comprehensive edition of the 1597 edition, this is of vital interest to all scholars of Shakespeare.Two different versions of Romeo and Juliet were published during Shakespeares lifetime: the second quarto of 1599, on which modern editions are usually based, and the first quarto of 1597. A comprehensive edition of the 1597 edition, this is of vital interest to all scholars of Shakespeare.Two different versions of Romeo and Juliet were published during Shakespeare's lifetime: the second quarto of 1599, on which modern editions are usually based, and the first quarto of 1597. The latter version was long denigrated as a 'bad' quarto', but recent scholarship sees in it a crucial witness for the theatrical practices of Shakespeare and his company. The shorter of the two versions by about one quarter, the first quarto has high-paced action, fuller stage directions than the second quarto, and fascinating alternatives to the famous speeches in the longer version. The introduction to this edition provides a full discussion of the origins of the first quarto, before analysing its distinguishing features and presenting a concise history of the 1597 version. The text is provided with a full collation and commentary which alert the reader to crucial differences between the first and the second quartos.Preface; Abbreviations and conventions; Introduction: 1. Textual provenance: a century of 'bad quartos'; Past thinking about Q1 Romeo and Juliet; The early draft / revision theory; Memorial reporters?; Stage abridgement, not memorial reconstruction?; Evidence of memorial agency; Alternatives to the traditional narrative; A version for the provinces?; Theatrical abridgement; Textual provenance: conclusion; 2lC"