King Richard II

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This invigorating edition by Charles Forker highlights an exciting advance in Shakespeare's artistry in Richard II. The play's formal structure and eloquent style emphasize the mystique of kingship more than earlier histories. Its nuanced portrayal of the dethronement of an unsuitable monarch by a more capable, albeit illegitimate, ruler invites audiences to reflect on the viability of hereditary monarchy itself. Forker offers a fresh perspective on this part of Shakespeare's second tetralogy, connecting it to earlier histories and its contemporary context while addressing competing theories of monarchy and the political concerns of the 1590s. He illustrates how Shakespeare's exploration of tragic personality reaches a new level of psychological complexity, framing the power struggle in terms of sensibility and temperament rather than mere factionalism. The edition thoroughly discusses the play's intricate style, imagery, and rhetoric, alongside a detailed commentary. It also reconsiders Shakespeare's sources, examining his emphasis on certain approaches, and outlines the play's rich afterlife, particularly its evolving reputation and twentieth-century staging history. As with all Arden editions, it provides an in-depth analysis of textual complexity and modernized text implications. This edition underscores the play's relevance to contemporary political uncertainty and individuality.