King John [Hardcover]

A new edition of King John, edited and introduced by L. A. Beaurline.The play's political importance, rich and varied language and skillful design are analyzed through the examination of several disputed emendations to the text in this exhaustive stage history.The play's political importance, rich and varied language and skillful design are analyzed through the examination of several disputed emendations to the text in this exhaustive stage history.King John had a distinguished life on the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century stage, and this edition presents the fullest account of its stage history. The play's political importance, its rich and varied language, and its skillful design suggest that King John deserves a high place among Shakespeare's historical tragedies. The textual analysis includes examination of several disputed emendations to the text. In the appendix, Beaurline surveys the arguments about the dating of Shakespeare's King John and the anonymous Troublesome Reign of King John, presenting new evidence for the possibility that Shakespeare's play was written first.List of illustrations; Preface; Abbreviations and conventions; Introduction; 1. Stage history; 2. Dramatic speech; 3. Symmetries and design; 4. Politics and conscience; 5. Note on the text; 6. List of characters; 7. The play; 8. Supplementary notes; 9. Textual analysis; Appendix; Reading list.