Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare, published by Simon & Schuster in July 2004, is an illustrated edition comprising 272 pages. This play, named for the twelfth night after Christmas, explores themes of love and power through a complex web of relationships. The narrative follows the Countess Olivia, who is pursued by Duke Orsino, while the arrival of twins Viola and Sebastian, separated by a shipwreck, adds further intrigue as Viola disguises herself as a male page.
Readers will find a freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play, accompanied by full explanatory notes conveniently placed on facing pages. This edition also includes scene-by-scene plot summaries, a key to the play’s famous lines, and an introduction to Shakespeare’s language. An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar offers a modern perspective, while fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library enhance the reading experience. This authoritative edition serves as a valuable resource for both students and general readers interested in Shakespearean drama and literary criticism.
Official synopsis Publisher
Named for the twelfth night after Christmas, the end of the Christmas season, Twelfth Night plays with love and power. The Countess Olivia, a woman with her own household, attracts Duke (or Count) Orsino. Two other would-be suitors are her pretentious steward, Malvolio, and Sir Andrew Aguecheek.
Onto this scene arrive the twins Viola and Sebastian; caught in a shipwreck, each thinks the other has drowned. Viola disguises herself as a male page and enters Orsino’s service. Orsino sends her as his envoy to Olivia—only to have Olivia fall in love with the messenger. The play complicates, then wonderfully untangles, these relationships.
The authoritative edition of Twelfth Night from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, 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 play’s famous lines and phrases
-An introduction to reading Shakespeare’s language
-An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play
-Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Library’s vast holdings of rare books
-An annotated guide to further reading
Essay by Catherine Belsey
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC, is home to the world’s largest collection of Shakespeare’s 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.
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