
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
'How beauteous mankind is! O brave new worldThat has such people in't!'Performed variously as escapist fantasy, celebratory fiction, and political allegory, The Tempest is one of the plays in which Shakespeare's genius as a poetic dramatist found its fullest expression. Significantly, it was placed first when published in the First Folio of 1623, and is now generally seen as the playwright's most penetrating statement about his art.The New Oxford Shakespeare offers authoritative editions of Shakespeare's works with introductory materials designed to encourage new interpretations of the plays and poems. Using the text from the landmark The New Oxford Shakespeare Complete Works: Modern Critical Edition, these volumes offer readers the latest thinking on the authentic texts (collated from all surviving original versions of Shakespeare's work) alongside innovative introductions from leading scholars. The texts are accompanied by a comprehensive set of critical apparatus to give readers the best resources to help understand and enjoy Shakespeare's work.ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
A powerful sorcerer, stranded on a remote island with his daughter, orchestrates a storm to shipwreck his enemies and reclaim his lost status. Prospero, the deposed Duke of Milan, utilizes his command over the elements and the spirit Ariel to manipulate the survivors of the wreck. His objective is to secure his daughter Miranda's future and resolve the political betrayal that exiled him, while facing the internal conflict of whether to seek vengeance or grant forgiveness. The narrative unfolds through a blend of dramatic dialogue, soliloquies, and masque-like spectacle, set within a world governed by both natural laws and supernatural artifice.
Discussion often centers on the play's status as a meta-theatrical commentary on the playwright's own career and the act of creation. Readers frequently highlight the ambiguity of Prospero's morality, debating whether his actions constitute liberation or further subjugation of the island's inhabitants. Critics often examine the text's historical context regarding exploration and the shifting political landscape of the seventeenth century. The pacing is noted for its tight, focused structure that builds toward a resolution of reconciliation rather than traditional tragic destruction. This edition is particularly valued for its scholarly apparatus, which provides necessary context for navigating the dense, layered language of the original text.
Page Count:
192
Publication Date:
2024-01-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192865870
ISBN-13:
9780192865878
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!