Cymbeline (Folger Shakespeare Library)

ISBN: 1982156910

Author: Shakespeare, William

Condition: New

The authoritative edition of Cymbeline from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers.Cymbeline tells the story of a British king, Cymbeline, and his three children, presented as though they are in a fairy tale. The secret marriage of Cymbelines daughter, Imogen, triggers much of the action, which includes villainous slander, homicidal jealousy, cross-gender disguise, a deathlike trance, and the appearance of Jupiter in a vision.Kidnapped in infancy, Cymbelines two sons are raised in a Welsh cave. As young men, they rescue a starving stranger (Imogen in disguise); kill Cymbelines stepson; and fight with almost superhuman valor against the Roman army. The king, meanwhile, takes on a Roman invasion rather than pay a tribute. He too is a familiar figure-a father who loses his children and miraculously finds them years later; a king who defeats an army and grants pardon to all.Cymbeline displays unusually powerful emotions with a tremendous charge. Like some of Shakespeares other late work-especially The Winters Tale and The Tempest-it is an improbable story lifted into a nearly mythic realm.This edition includes:-Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play-Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play-Scene-by-scene plot summaries-A key to the plays famous lines and phrases-An introduction to reading Shakespeares language-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Librarys vast holdings of rare books-An annotated guide to further readingEssay by Cynthia MarshallThe Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the worlds largest collection of Shakespeares printed works, and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year, the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information, visit Folger.edu.