The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 14.1262 Tuesday, 24 June 2003
From: Hardy M. Cook <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Subject: Available for Comment: The Final Scene of Richard the Second,
Part One (Thomas of Woodstock)
Dear SHAKSPEReans,
Michael Egan is preparing a variorum edition of <I>Thomas of Woodstock
(1 Richard II)</I>, for which he has included a conjectural emendation
for the final scene. This conjecture and Egan's explanation of his
methodology are currently available for a limited time from the SHAKSPER
webpage (www.shaksper.net) "Papers by SHAKSPER-members seeking critical
advice" or from http://www.shaksper.net/review-papers/index.html
Of the project, Egan writes,
I'm currently preparing the Variorum Edition of Richard the Second, Part
One, often called Thomas of Woodstock. Readers will be aware that an
unknown but probably not very large number of pages is missing from the
MS., British Library, Egerton 1994, fols. 161-185. My edition thus
contains what may be the longest conjectural emendation in dramatic
history -- V.vi.33-149 or 116 lines. I'm acutely conscious of my
limitations, especially as I think the play is by Shakespeare,
justifying my efforts only on the grounds that a half-loaf of conclusion
is better than none at all. A finish tying up at least some of the
plot's loose ends may mean more frequent performances of the play and
thus perhaps its recognition as the masterpiece it is. Additionally, my
attempt might lure better dramatists to take a shot.
All comments, critiques, or responses should be sent directly to Michael
Egan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
_______________________________________________________________
S H A K S P E R: The Global Shakespeare Discussion List
Hardy M. Cook, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The S H A K S P E R Webpage <http://www.shaksper.net>
DISCLAIMER: Although SHAKSPER is a moderated discussion list, the
opinions expressed on it are the sole property of the poster, and the
editor assumes no responsibility for them.
