ARDEN EARLY MODERN DRAMA

September 2009 sees the launch of an exciting new series: Arden Early Modern Drama. Arden Early Modern Drama accompanies and complements the Arden Shakespeare Third Series, offering editions of non-Shakespearean Renaissance drama and Restoration drama from the period 1500-1700. Modelled on the Third Series in appearance and style Arden Early Modern Drama editions will offer high-quality textual scholarship and full annotation, together with an accessible, studentfriendly introduction. The series will include popular plays like The Duchess of Malfi, as well as some lesser known treasures not currently available at this level. These editions will be valued by students, teachers and theatre professionals for many years to come.

The Duchess of Malfi Leah Marcus, Vanderbilt University The Duchess of Malfiis one of the major tragedies of the early modern period and remains popular in the theatre as well as in the classroom. The story of the Duchess’s secret marriage and the cruel revenge of her brothers has fascinated and appalled audiences for centuries. This new Arden edition offers readers a comprehensive, illustrated introduction to the play’s historical, critical and performance history. The text is modernised and edited to the highest scholarly standards, with textual notes and commentary notes on the same page for ease of reference.

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September 2009 Paperback: 9781904271512 £8.99 US$17.00 Hardback: 9781408119488 £65.00 US$100.00

THE ARDEN SHAKESPEARE
September 2009 Paperback: 9781904271628 £9.99 US$18.00 Hardback: 9781408119464 £65.00 US$100.00

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Everyman and Mankind Douglas Bruster, University of Texas Eric Rasmussen, University of Nevada Everyman Mankind are morality plays which mark the turn of the medieval period to the early modern, with their focus on the individual. Everymanfollows a man’s journey towards death and his efforts to secure himself a life thereafter, whilst Mankind shows a man battling with temptation and sin, often with great humour. Both texts are modernised here and edited to the highest standards of scholarship, with full on-page commentaries giving the depth of information and insight associated with all Arden editions. The comprehensive, illustrated introduction argues that the plays signal the birth of the early modern consciousness and puts them in their historic and religious contexts. An account is also given of the staging and performance history of the plays and their critical history and significance.

ARDEN EARLY MODERN DRAMA

Philaster Suzanne Gossett, Loyola University Philasteris a tragicomedy by Beaumont and Fletcher which has much in common with Shakespeare’s late plays such as The Winter’s Tale . Set in a fictionalised Sicily, it has the complex plot of love, disguise and the threat of death much loved by early modern theatre-goers. This edition provides an authoritative, modernised text by a leading scholar with detailed on-page commentary notes giving readers a deeper understanding of the play. The comprehensive, illustrated introduction discusses Philasterfrom a performance perspective as well as its relation to Shakespearean drama, and places it in its historical and critical contexts. The play is often taught on Shakespeare and Early Modern drama courses but only now is such a detailed, modern edition available for use by students and scholars.

September 2009 Paperback: 9781904271734 £10.99 US$20.00 Hardback: 9781408119471 £65.00 US$100.00

www.ardenshakespeare.com

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