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Richard II (Folger Shakespeare Library) |
Author: William Shakespeare
Published: 2005-06-28 |
List price: $4.99
Our price: $4.99
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As of: December 01st, 2008 04:04:58 PM
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Customer comments on this selection.
 Blowback from an ugly decision in "this demi-paradise"
King Richard is forced to make an ugly decision about an argument between two of his noble subjects. He tries to come up with a balanced solution for the best interests of the realm, and lives to regret it. Bolingbroke is exiled, rather than killed, but returns to usurp the throne.
Complex and dour but with a passion for England, this was a very enjoyable one. Richard wasn't especially likeable, but despite his unpleasantness, he inspired a degree of sympathy. Bolingbroke was the noble, conqueror returning from exile imposed by the mean old king, but wasn't someone a body could feel sympathy for. The story was taken from English history, with some artistic liberties. Throughout, there was a love for England regardless of and frequently despite the rulers. As much about the people in the play, it is about how Britons feel about their land.
I enjoyed it even though I generally prefer his comedies.
E. M. Van Court
 Highly Recommended for Style and Presentation
Shakespeare can be tough--tough, but well worthwhile---and this book does a good job of presenting Shakespeare in a manner and form that is not overpowering to the reader....
Provides just enough insight and history to aid the reader in understanding, but doesn't overpower the reader with unnecessary "book learning." The real impact of Shakespeare, however, is in the play itself...this book adds to the play and doesn't detract from it by an overpowering explanation or presentation.
Good effort. Barbara Mowat's work is always good.
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.
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