Anonymous
Anonymous

Author: Roland Emmerich

Publisher: Newmarket Press

Published: 2011-09-13

Total Pages: 168

ISBN-13: 9781557049759

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Anonymous, directed by Roland Emmerich and written by John Orloff, speculates on an issue that has for centuries intrigued academics and brilliant minds, ranging from Mark Twain and Charles Dickens to Sigmund Freud, Orson Welles, and Sir John Gielgud, namely: Who was the author of the 38 plays and 154 sonnets credited to William Shakespeare? The movie poses one possible answer, focusing on a time when scandalous political intrigue, illicit romances in the royal court, and the schemes of greedy nobles hungry for the power of the throne were exposed in the most unlikely of places: the London stage. A riveting portrayal of the complex world of Shakespeare’s times, the movie stars Rhys Ifans, Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, David Thewlis, Xavier Samuel, Sebastian Armesto, Rafe Spall, Edward Hogg, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Derek Jacobi. With 165 color images, this stunning visual companion captures the striking recreation of the Elizabethan period that imagines Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford, as the true author of the plays credited to William Shakespeare. The brilliant work of the talented filmmakers is celebrated in this book that features: a fascinating introduction by director Roland Emmerich (The Patriot, 2012, The Day After Tomorrow, 10,000 BC, Independence Day) an essay by screenwriter John Orloff (Band of Brothers, Legends of the Guardians, A Mighty Heart) essays on the Shakespeare authorship question by Mark Twain and by Charles Beauclerk (author of Shakespeare’s Lost Kingdom) illustrated script excerpts, sidebars on historical references, concept drawings, and production illustrations commentaries from the cast and crew on the film’s production, cinematography, costume design, and visual effects an extensive bibliography In his introduction, Roland Emmerich tells how his reading of screenwriter John Orloff’s script “The Soul of the Age” led to his fascination with the Shakespeare authorship mystery as the two worked together for more than ten years on what finally became Anonymous. He writes about choosing the extraordinary cast and marvels at how his amazing production crew was able to recreate 16th-century London.

The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus
The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus

Author: William Shakespeare

Publisher: BoD - Books on Demand

Published: 2024-04-01

Total Pages: 127

ISBN-13:

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"The Tragedy of Titus Andronicus" by William Shakespeare is a gripping and intense drama that explores themes of revenge, betrayal, and the destructive consequences of violence. Set in ancient Rome, the play follows the tragic downfall of the noble general Titus Andronicus and his family as they become embroiled in a cycle of vengeance and bloodshed. At the heart of the story is the brutal conflict between Titus Andronicus and Tamora, Queen of the Goths, whose sons are executed by Titus as retribution for their crimes. In retaliation, Tamora and her lover, Aaron the Moor, orchestrate a series of heinous acts of revenge against Titus and his family, plunging them into a spiral of madness and despair. As the body count rises and the atrocities escalate, Titus is consumed by grief and rage, leading to a climactic showdown that culminates in a shocking and tragic conclusion. Along the way, Shakespeare explores themes of honor, justice, and the nature of humanity, offering a searing indictment of the cycle of violence and the capacity for cruelty that lies within us all.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona
The Two Gentlemen of Verona

Author: William Shakespeare

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 2011-08-23

Total Pages: 303

ISBN-13: 1451644655

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While the word “gentlemen” suggests that its heroes are adults, The Two Gentlemen of Verona is more intelligible if we think of them as boys, leaving home for the first time. One has a crush on a girl, Julia, though he hasn’t yet told her. Sent to court to learn to be “perfect gentlemen,” Valentine and Proteus are derailed by their attraction to Sylvia, the ruler’s daughter. Valentine’s mental denseness does not deter Sylvia from returning his love, but he is caught, and banished, when he tries to elope with her. Proteus’ desire for Sylvia wipes out his former love, leading him into despicable acts that win scorn from Sylvia and wound Julia, who has pursued him disguised as a boy. When Sylvia follows Valentine into banishment, Proteus follows Sylvia, and Julia follows Proteus, the stage is set for a disturbing ending. But the stage is also set for the “gentlemen” to take small steps toward maturity. The authoritative edition of The Two Gentlemen of Verona from The Folger Shakespeare Library, the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers, includes: -The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference -Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation -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 Jeffrey Masten 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.

King Lear
King Lear

Author: Jeffrey Kahan

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2008-04-18

Total Pages: 385

ISBN-13: 1135973652

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Is King Lear an autonomous text, or a rewrite of the earlier and anonymous play King Leir? Should we refer to Shakespeare’s original quarto when discussing the play, the revised folio text, or the popular composite version, stitched together by Alexander Pope in 1725? What of its stage variations? When turning from page to stage, the critical view on King Lear is skewed by the fact that for almost half of the four hundred years the play has been performed, audiences preferred Naham Tate's optimistic adaptation, in which Lear and Cordelia live happily ever after. When discussing King Lear, the question of what comprises ‘the play’ is both complex and fragmentary. These issues of identity and authenticity across time and across mediums are outlined, debated, and considered critically by the contributors to this volume. Using a variety of approaches, from postcolonialism and New Historicism to psychoanalysis and gender studies, the leading international contributors to King Lear: New Critical Essays offer major new interpretations on the conception and writing, editing, and cultural productions of King Lear. This book is an up-to-date and comprehensive anthology of textual scholarship, performance research, and critical writing on one of Shakespeare's most important and perplexing tragedies. Contributors Include: R.A. Foakes, Richard Knowles, Tom Clayton, Cynthia Clegg, Edward L. Rocklin, Christy Desmet, Paul Cantor, Robert V. Young, Stanley Stewart and Jean R. Brink