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Edward II (Revels Plays)

Edward II (Revels Plays)
By Christopher Marlowe

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Product Description

The introduction to this edition contains an analysis of the first quarto (including new evidence of its original dating) and a reconsideration of the play's complex relation to the Shakespearean histories that preceded and followed it. Charles R. Forker offers a discussion of Marlowe's use of sources, and presents a new argument for the drama's five-act structure. He delves into the conflicting and controversial opinions concerning the genre and sexual politics of the play, and also includes a full record of the stage history. Forker has collated some 46 editions (including the important, rare and usually ignored editions of Broughton and Oxberry in 1818). The appendices provide substantive variants from the Broughton and Oxberry texts as well as extracts from the sources.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #715979 in Books
  • Published on: 1995-09-07
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 384 pages

Customer Reviews

Moving and powerful5
Marlowe's play about the gay king of England seems incredibly modern in its sympathetic representation of a homosexual man. Sure, Edward may get 'punished' for his crime (in the most hideous way imaginable), but Marlowe's sympathies are clearly with Edward, whose love scenes with Gaveston are poetic and touching. By contrast, Edward's overthrower, Mortimer is a cold-blooded villain, and he too gets his comeuppance. Compare this play with the supposedly modern film 'Braveheart', which vilifies Edward II's homosexuality, and you can see that Marlowe is ahead of his time even now.

Marlowe at his best4
This is a powerful play whereby Marlowe examines the humiliations that the King has to suffer due to his homosexuality. The reader begins to understand the great difficulty involved in balancing personal and political concerns, especially in centuries past. It sweeps the reader away into history, politics, corruption and controversy which exemplifies Marlowe at his best. I would recommend this play to anyone who has an interest in Renaissance culture or has enjoyed the works of Webster and Middleton & Rowley.