Richard II (Folger Shakespeare Library)

by William Shakespeare, William Griggs, William Aldis Wright, et al.

Book Overview

Written in 1595, Richard II occupies a significant place in the Shakespeare canon, marking the transition from the earlier history plays dominated by civil war and stark power to a more nuanced... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743484916
• Release Date: July 2005
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 352 Pages
• Weight: 0.42 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.8" x 0.9" x 4.2"

Customer Reviews

KING RICHARD II ARDEN SHAKESPEARE

THIS EDITION IS BEAUTIFULLY ORGANIZED... THE FOOTNOTES ARE THOROUGH AND ENGAGING... THE CHARACTERS IN THE PLAY ARE FULLY EXPLAINED... THIS WAS FOR ME A BEAUTIFUL PATHWAY TO A FABULOUS PLAY

Good for a reading group

I ordered a number of copies of this book -- the New Folger Library edition of Richard II -- for use by members of a Shakespeare reaeding group in Tbilisi, Georgia (that's the country, not the state), most of whose members are not native speakers of English. For this purpose the Foger edition, with notes on the page facing each page of text, was very useful -- more useful, I think, than the Arden edition, whose critical apparatus is very copious but often gets in the way. And in a few cases I found the Folger's notes more accurate and informative. Harry Berger's concluding essay, however, is not so good. It argues a thesis that I find somewhat implausible and one-sided in its reading of the play, so especially for the new student it is not very useful. But coming at the end of the text it is easy to ignore.

Penguin audiotape is excellent

The Penguin production of Richard II is full length and well done. The other version(s) are abridged and not so good. I find it increases understanding and satisfaction of Shakespeare to listen to the tapes while reading.

Well balanced tale

Yes, Mr or Ms Reader, this is a hidden gem of Shakespeare's. Perhaps it is a bit too weighed down with history to ever attract Mr Di Caprio, but the story is intriguing and one's opinion of Richard changes scene by scene. Wonderful wordplay and nobility in abundance make this one to turn too immediately should you wish to delve beyond the traditional canon of the Bard's works.