King Lear: A Parallel Text Edition, William Shakespeare

In this edition Rene Weis provides the reader with a fully annotated, modern-spelling version of the Quarto (1608) and Folio (1623) texts of King Lear. In order to highlight the differences between them, Quarto and Folio are printed in parallel on facing pages. The reader can thus engage directly with the problems raised by the two texts of King Lear and consider current thinking about the play.
The on-the-page annotations identify and elucidate the major differences between the texts. Textual and bibliographical issues feature prominently in these notes as an integrated part of the wider literary commentary which will be of particular relevance to the general student. For the purposes of the commentary, the Notes grant Quarto and Folio equal authority.
In a closely argued Introduction Dr Weis reexamines the continuing textual and bibliographical debate on the relationship between The History of King Lear (Q) and The Tragedy of King Lear (F) and considers the arguments for and against revision. A detailed survey of the important differences between Quarto and Folio leads the editor to conclude that the case for a full-scale revision of Quarto by Folio remains controversial. He argues that several important differences between Quarto and Folio may reflect varying states of Shakespeare's working drafts, while others were brought about by external, politically motivated interference with the text. Some of the evidence would suggest that the text which was printed in Folio in 1623 may have been substantially in existence before the printing of Quarto from Shakespeare's 'foul papers' in 1608. In conclusion, the editor declares cautiously in favour of Quarto rather than Folio whose precise links to Quarto and manuscript sources remain in dispute.
King Lear: A Parallel Text Edition will prove essential and accessible reading for all A-level and undergraduate students of English.