The Alchemist (Crofts Classics) - Softcover

Jonson, Ben; Bentley, Gerald Eades

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0882950487 ISBN 13: 9780882950488

Publisher: Harlan Davidson Inc, 1987

Synopsis

This edition brings together Jonson's four great comedies in one volume. Volpone , which was first performed in 1606, dramatizes the corrupting nature of greed in an exuberant satire set in contemporary Venice. The first production of Epicene marked the end of a year long closure of the theatres because of an epidemic of the plague in 1609; its comedy affirms the consolatory power of laughter at such a time. The Alchemist (1610) deploys the metaphors of alchemical transformation to emphasize the mutability of the characters and their relationships. In Bartholomew Fair (1614) Jonson embroils the visitors to the fair in its myriad tempations, exposing the materialistic impulses beneath the apparent godliness of Jacobean Puritans. Under the General Editorship of Michael Cordner of the University of York the texts of the plays have been newly edited and are presented with modernized spelling and punctuation. Stage directions hvae been added to facilitate the reconstruction of the plays' performance, and there is a scholarly introduction, detailed annotation, and a glossary. This book is intended for students of 17th-century drama.

About this title

Review

Ben Jonson's comedy of dupes and conmen couldn't be more contemporary --Time Out

Book Description

Originally published in 1928, this book presents the text of The Alchemist by Ben Jonson. An editorial introduction is included, along with extensive notes. Spelling and punctuation are occasionally modernised and a few passages are omitted, but aside from this the text of William Gifford's 1816 edition is followed.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harlan Davidson Inc
• Publication date: 1987
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0882950487
• ISBN 13: 9780882950488
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 125
• Editor: Bentley Gerald Eades