Shakespeare's Troilus and Cressida: Textual Problems and Performance Solutions

by Roger Apfelbaum

ISBN: 0-87413-813-2          Published in 2004          $48.50          AUP Order Form

This book studies a selection of variants and emendations in Troilus and Cressida with extensive reference to the theater history of the passages, showing how production decisions can provide a valuable commentary on editorial questions. Passages that have been the subject of editorial debate are examined from many points of view, beginning with the bibliographical and editorial questions. The thematic importance of the selected passages is considered in relation to critical concerns, other versions of the Trojan War legend, and Renaissance theatrical, literary, and cultural issues. The twentieth-century theater history of each passage is then studied in depth, showing how performance interpretation can offer valuable and largely unexplored commentary on editorial problems. Production archives and interviews with directors and actors (including John Barton and Sam Mendes) reveal how editorial problems have been interpreted for the stage. Roger Apfelbaum is Assistant Professor of English at Seton Hall University.