This is the first stage history of Shakespeare's King Henry V to cover the play's theatrical life since 1599. Staging this play is a political act, and the substantial Introduction traces its theatrical interventions into conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to Vietnam and the Falklands. The stage and film history raises interpretative questions--is Henry V an epic of English nationalism, a knowing and cynical piece of power politics, or an anti-war manifesto? The volume also includes the play text, illustrations and detailed footnotes about major performances.

This is the first stage history of Shakespeare's King Henry V to cover the play's theatrical life since 1599. Staging this play is a political act, and the substantial Introduction traces its theatrical interventions into conflicts from the Napoleonic Wars to Vietnam and the Falklands. The stage and film history raises interpretative questions--is Henry V an epic of English nationalism, a knowing and cynical piece of power politics, or an anti-war manifesto? The volume also includes the play text, illustrations and detailed footnotes about major performances.

This lively and innovative introduction to Shakespeare promotes active engagement with the plays, rather than recycling factual information. Covering a range of texts, it is divided into seven subject-based chapters: Character; Performance; Texts; Language; Structure; Sources and History, and it does not assume any prior knowledge. Instead, it develops ways of thinking and provides the reader with resources for independent research through the 'Where next?' sections at the end of each chapter. The book draws on scholarship without being overwhelmed by it, and unlike other introductory guides...

This Guide steers students through the critical writing on Shakespeare's tragedies from the sixteenth century to the present day.

• Guides students through four centuries of critical writing on Shakespeare's tragedies.
  
• Covers both significant early views and recent critical interventions.
  
• Substantial editorial material links the articles and places them in context.
  
• Annotated suggestions for further reading allow students to investigate further.

This Guide steers students through the critical writing on Shakespeare's tragedies from the sixteenth century to the present day.

• Guides students through four centuries of critical writing on Shakespeare's tragedies.
  
• Covers both significant early views and recent critical interventions.
  
• Substantial editorial material links the articles and places them in context.
  
• Annotated suggestions for further reading allow students to investigate further.