The First Part of King Henry IV (The New Cambridge Shakespeare). This item is unavailable.The First Part of King Henry IV (The New Cambridge Shakespeare)

This second edition features a new section on recent stage, film and critical interpretations.

Herbert Weil & Judith Weil (Editors) Second Revised Edition This edition offers a strongly theatrical perspective on the origins of The First Part of Henry IV and the history of its interpretation. The introduction clarifies the play's dramatic structure, and questions the dominant assumption that the drama focuses on the education of Prince Hal. Falstaff's unpredictable vitality is explored, together with important contemporary values of honour, friendship, festivity and reformation. Extensive glosses of obscure, ambiguous or archaic meanings make the rich wordplay accessible and the notes also provide a thorough commentary on Shakespeare's transformation of his sources 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. Publisher: Cambridge University Press Paperback ISBN 9780521687430