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The Merry Wives of Windsor
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| List Price: | CDN$ 7.99 |
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Product Description
• Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play
• Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play
• Scene-by-scene plot summaries
• A key to famous lines and phrases
• An introduction to reading Shakespeare's language
• An essay by an outstanding scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
• Illustrations from the Folger Shakespeare Library's vast holdings of rare books
Essay by Natasha Korda
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is home to the world's largest collection of Shakespeare's printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit www.folger.edu.
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #346738 in Books
- Published on: 2004-06-22
- Released on: 2004-06-22
- Original language: English
- Dimensions: .86" h x 4.28" w x 6.78" l, .34 pounds
- Binding: Mass Market Paperback
- 320 pages
Editorial Reviews
From Amazon.co.uk
Written around 1597, critics believe that The Merry Wives of Windsor was written to capitalise on the popular success of the corpulent, knavish Sir John Falstaff in the two parts of Henry IV. Falstaff takes centre stage again in this play, hard up for money and planning to pay off his debts by seducing the wives of two rich citizens, Ford and Page. As in the earlier Henry IV plays, Falstaff's elaborate plans go awry, with disastrous and humiliating consequences. Ford is furious with Falstaff's attempt to woo his wife, whilst both Mistress Ford and Mistress Page have the measure of Falstaff, and repeatedly dupe him, first hiding him in a laundry basket and dumping him in the river, then tormenting him in the forest of Windsor with children disguised as fairies.
Often dismissed as a hasty and mechanical play lacking in depth, The Merry Wives of Windsor is in fact a wonderfully inventive farce. Falstaff is a ludicrous mock hero, dressed as a mythical hunter in the forest, declaiming "powerful love that in some respects makes a beast a man, in some others a man a beast!" Mistress Ford and Page are also great comic creations, witty and resilient women who drive the comedy, no longer "in the holiday time" of beauty, but wise and streetwise women who are always one step ahead of the absurd Falstaff. A greatly underrated play. --Jerry Brotton
From AudioFile
At the request of the Queen, Shakespeare wrought this farce starring Sir John Falstaff of his HENRY IV plays, here transplanted from the fifteenth to the sixteenth century, where he attempts to seduce two wealthy married women who are a bit too smart for him. Director Clive Brill has orchestrated a rousing production that concentrates on clarity. Though a trifle short on personality, this is a delightful addition to Arkangel's series of the complete, uncut Shakespeare plays. Y.R. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
Ingram
An illustrated gift edition of the Shakespearean comedy of Falstaff follows the adventures and misadventures of Falstaff, the merry king of revelry, and is accompanied by printed endpapers, a three-piece case, and a ribbon marker.
