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remains the most distinctive, and in many ways the best, one-volume Shakespeare currently available and will not be easily replaced. (Forum for Modern Languages )
Times Literary Supplement, 11 August 2006
'beautifully produced'
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Although I don't own any of the alternative 'complete works' publications (I have also heard, for example, good things said about the RSC complete works edition) for me at least, this Oxford edition is simply an essential part of any fans library. Indeed, it's a great version for anybody who may be studying Shakespeare, but is not full of 'study notes' at the bottom of every page (which I don't like). Instead what we have here is the truly complete (as far as we know at least) canon of the Bard's works. They are presented in a form that is as close to what Shakespeare intended them to be, as is possible to get (at least to our understanding).
Before each play, there is a brief (one page) background introducing the context of the play, and what we know of its performance history, how it was received by critics and audiences, as well as the editors own justifications for having presented the play in such a way that either incorporates, or omits, elements from previous publications (mainly from the good or bad quartos and folios). It's also a real treat to have, for the first time, two different versions of King Lear reproduced in here (purely because we don't know which version in the 'definitive' one).
I own the first edition of this (published back in 1986 or '87 I think) but I have to say I believe this second edition really does surpass it. Not only do you now get more, but you also have, by way of introduction to the volume, a very detailed account of why new things have been included, as well as any reassessments which have been made of the works since 1987.
In conclusion then, a real gem, and a must have for anybody who was ever into Shakespeare, or indeed literature and the English language in general. I can't recommend it highly enough!
Before each play, there is a brief (one page) background introducing the context of the play, and what we know of its performance history, how it was received by critics and audiences, as well as the editors own justifications for having presented the play in such a way that either incorporates, or omits, elements from previous publications (mainly from the good or bad quartos and folios). It's also a real treat to have, for the first time, two different versions of King Lear reproduced in here (purely because we don't know which version in the 'definitive' one).
I own the first edition of this (published back in 1986 or '87 I think) but I have to say I believe this second edition really does surpass it. Not only do you now get more, but you also have, by way of introduction to the volume, a very detailed account of why new things have been included, as well as any reassessments which have been made of the works since 1987.
In conclusion then, a real gem, and a must have for anybody who was ever into Shakespeare, or indeed literature and the English language in general. I can't recommend it highly enough!
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I teach Shakespeare at university level and this is the text that I use. It's certainly not perfect (what is?) and I recommend that students might also want to look at an Arden edition, especially for help with the language. Taylor and Wells have tried to provide us with the most accurate texts of Shakespeare's plays while admitting the caveat that this is a shifting position. The introduction is good on the literary and theatrical background, the volume is robust and well-produced, and the bibliography of further reading is useful.
On the negative side, this uses a fairly small font so some readers might find that a problem. It also, as other reviewers say, doesn't include explanatory notes on the plays themselves or the language, though there is a glossary at the back. The size and weight of the book makes it hefty to carry around and read.
On the positive side, however, I like the fact that this is an edition produced by textual scholars and is as reliable as it's possible to be. I also like that it returns us to the titles under which the plays were known and/or written in their own time, rather than the modern versions, and don't think this is just the editors being gimmicky.
So if you're a Shakespeare 'beginner' and unfamiliar or uncomfortable with sixteenth century language then this might not be the best edition, and I would recommend the Ardens. But if you are a general reader, a student familiar with Shakespeare or someone wanting to experience the plays as they were without needing story summaries and interpretations, then I would recommended this, especially at this price.
On the negative side, this uses a fairly small font so some readers might find that a problem. It also, as other reviewers say, doesn't include explanatory notes on the plays themselves or the language, though there is a glossary at the back. The size and weight of the book makes it hefty to carry around and read.
On the positive side, however, I like the fact that this is an edition produced by textual scholars and is as reliable as it's possible to be. I also like that it returns us to the titles under which the plays were known and/or written in their own time, rather than the modern versions, and don't think this is just the editors being gimmicky.
So if you're a Shakespeare 'beginner' and unfamiliar or uncomfortable with sixteenth century language then this might not be the best edition, and I would recommend the Ardens. But if you are a general reader, a student familiar with Shakespeare or someone wanting to experience the plays as they were without needing story summaries and interpretations, then I would recommended this, especially at this price.
20 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This edition is not worth spending the extra money on. The text is cramped, with no explanatory notes on the page. A poor edition to try to study from. I wish I had bought the RSC edition.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
it is very useful book specially for people who are studying...
This book is very good it helps you to find lots of information about Shakspeare's work.
I would suggest this book specially for people who are studing Sheakspeare or people... Read more
I would suggest this book specially for people who are studing Sheakspeare or people... Read more
Published 7 months ago by laura
Not for bedtime reading!
I'll keep this short. This is a scholarly and beautifully produced edition of the writer who created our mind-map. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Stuart C. Clarke
Value for money and a good addition to any bookshelf, but real heavy!
With this product, it really depends what you're looking for. I purchased this because as a student of English I've always wanted a Complete Works of Shakespeare and this was... Read more
Published 15 months ago by bangendedscoot
Definitive and beyond
The Oxford Shakespeare is the best single-volume complete works that I've come across. It's particularly good for those who want to look at the plays and poems as they were... Read more
Published on 8 Mar 2010 by Oracle
Everything was perfect
Everything was perfect. The product arrived in perfect conditions and within the expected period of time.
Published on 18 Sep 2009 by Maria Ferrandez
Mixed feelings
I am not familiar with any other volumes, so I can't tell you if this one is better than any others. Read more
Published on 10 Sep 2009 by Blackbeard
There are better.
This is quite an attractive package in that the typeface is nice, but there are several major flaws:
the plays are ordered chronologically which would take some getting used... Read more
the plays are ordered chronologically which would take some getting used... Read more
Published on 21 April 2009 by D. Beaver
The Best Text
The Best Text and Authority On Shakespeare (Full Stop)
Published on 1 Jan 2006
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