The paratexts in early modern English playbooks – the materials to be found primarily in their preliminary pages and end matter – provide a rich source of information for scholars interested in Shakespeare, Renaissance drama and the history of the book. In addition, these materials offer valuable insights into the rise of dramatic authorship in print, early modern attitudes towards theatre, notorious literary wrangles and the production of drama both on the stage and in the printing house. This unique two-volume reference is the first to include all paratextual materials in early modern English playbooks, from the emergence of print drama to the closure of the theatres in 1642. The texts have been transcribed from their original versions and presented in old-spelling. With an introduction, user's guide, multiple indices and a finding list, the editors provide a comprehensive overview of seminal texts which have never before been fully transcribed, annotated and cross-referenced.
• The first comprehensive, scholarly edition of all paratextual materials in early modern playbooks • An invaluable reference work with user's guide and indices • Fully annotated transcriptions with notes on early modern staging, publication and formats • Original bibliographical and typographical features
Contents
Volume 1: List of figures; Acknowledgements; Introduction; A user's guide; The Paratexts: Single-text editions (to 1623); Collected editions (to 1623). Volume 2: A user's guide; The Paratexts: Single-text editions (1624–42); Collected editions (1624–42); Indices to Volumes 1 and 2; Finding list to Volumes 1 and 2.
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