Cymbeline (The Pelican Shakespeare)

Cymbeline (The Pelican Shakespeare)

"I feel that I have spent half my career with one or another Pelican Shakespeare in my back pocket. Convenience, however, is the least important aspect of the new Pelican Shakespeare series. Here is an elegant and clear text for either the study or the rehearsal room, notes where you need them and the distinguished scholarship of the general editors, Stephen Orgel and A. R. Braunmuller who understand that these are plays for performance as well as great texts for contemplation." (Patrick Stewart) The distinguished Pelican Shakespeare series, which has sold more than four million copies, is now completely revised and repackaged. Each volume features: * Authoritative, reliable texts * High quality introductions and notes * New, more readable trade trim size * An essay on the theatrical world of Shakespeare and essays on Shakespeare's life and the selection of texts “A remarkable edition, one that makes Shakespeare’s extraordinary accomplishment more vivid than ever.”—James Shapiro, professor, Columbia University, bestselling author of A Year in the Life of Shakespeare: 1599   “A feast of literary and historical information.” —The Wall Street Journal William Shakespeare  (1564–1616) was a poet, playwright, and actor who is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers in the history of the English language. Often referred to as the Bard of Avon, Shakespeare's vast body of work includes comedic, tragic, and historical plays; poems; and 154 sonnets. His dramatic works have been translated into every major language and are performed more often than those of any other playwright. Peter Holland was the director of the Shakespeare Institute, Stratford-upon-Avon, and professor of Shakespeare studies at the University of Birmingham. He is now the McMeel Family Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Notre Dame University. Stephen Orgel is the Jackson Eli Reynolds Professor of the Humanities at Stanford University and general editor of the Cambridge Studies in Renaissance Literature and Culture. He has edited Ben Johnson's masques, Christopher Marlowe's poems and translations, and many other classics. His books include  The Authentic Shakespeare  (2002),  Impersonations: The Performance of Gender in Shakespeare's England  (1996), and  The Illusion of Power  (1975). A. R. Braunmuller is a professor of English and comparative literature at the University of California at Los Angeles, where he teaches courses on English and European drama from 1500 to the present. He has written critical volumes on George Peele and George Chapman and has edited plays in both the Oxford ( King John ) and Cambridge ( Macbeth ) series of Shakespeare editions. He is also the general editor of  The New Cambridge Shakespeare . Chapter 1 Act 1 Scene 1 running scene 1 Enter two Gentlemen FIRST GENTLEMAN??You do not meet a man but frowns. Our bloods No more obey the heavens than our courtiers Still seem as does the king. SECOND GENTLEMAN??But what's the matter? FIRST GENTLEMAN??His daughter, and the heir of's kingdom, whom He purposed to his wife's sole son - a widow That late he married - hath referred herself Unto a poor but worthy gentleman. She's wedded, Her husband banished, she imprisoned, all Is outward sorrow, though I think the king Be touched at very heart. SECOND GENTLEMAN??None but the king? FIRST GENTLEMAN??He that hath lost her too: so is the queen, That most desired the match. But not a courtier, Although they wear their faces to the bent Of the king's looks, hath a heart that is not Glad at the thing they scowl at. SECOND GENTLEMAN??And why so? FIRST GENTLEMAN??He that hath missed the princess is a thing Too bad for bad report: and he that hath her - I mean, that married her, alack, good man, And therefore banished - is a creature such As, to seek through the regions of the earth For one his like, there would be something failing In him that should compare. I do not think So fair an outward and such stuff within Endows a man but he. SECOND GENTLEMAN??You speak him far. FIRST GENTLEMAN??I do extend, sir, within himself, Crush him together rather than unfold His measure duly. SECOND GENTLEMAN??What's his name and birth? FIRST GENTLEMAN??I cannot delve him to the root: his father Was called Sicilius, who did join his honour Against the Romans with Cassibelan, But had his titles by Tenantius whom He served with glory and admired success: So gained the sur-addition Leonatus. And had, besides this gentleman in question, Two other sons, who in the wars o'th'time Died with their swords in hand. For which their father, Then old and fond of issue, took such sorrow That he quit being, and his gentle lady, Big of this gentleman, our theme, deceased As he was born. The king he takes the babe To his protection, calls him Posthumus Leonatus, Breeds him, and makes him of his bedchamber, Puts to him all the learnings that his time Could make him the receiver of, which he took As w