Plays of John Heywood

The series is performing an important service by providing fully annotated editions of Tudor humanists and playwrights in the original Tudor English, with glossaries and listing of textual variants and doubtful readings. COMPARATIVE DRAMA`A first-rate edition that substantially advances the cause of scholarship.' COMPARATIVE DRAMAFirst complete and fully annotated collection of John Heywood's plays in the original language. It makes possible a reevaluation ofhis remarkable achievement as actor-playwright and an appreciation of his lively contribution to the English language. In all their experimental variety the comedies are seen to have the stamp of an idiosyncratic, theatricalintelligence coupled with a surprising seriousness and Heywood emerges as a resourceful apologist for traditional Catholic doctrine in a time of Reformation. In arguing for a new chronology, the editors suggest that Henry VIII'sservant and entertainer was capable of refreshing irreverence and political daring. Contents: Witty and Witles, Johan Johan, The Pardoner and theFrere, The Foure PP, A Play of Love, The Play of the Wether. Notes.Appendices: Verses from a lost Play of Reason, Translation of .RICHARD AXTON is a Fellow of Christ's College, Cambridge, and University lecturer in English. PETER HAPPÉis the former Principal of Barton PeverilSixth-Form College.

D.S. Brewer's thoughtful series...takes into account, synthesizes and develops the various facts and theories advanced about particular plays over the last few decades. The introduction and notes are full, informative... This edition contributes valuably to the reassessment of a crucial period. REVIEW OF ENGLISH STUDIESPerhaps the most significant playwright of the early Tudor court...a splendid feat of scholarship that sets each play in its literary and historical contexts...helpful comments on staging possibilities... From this admirable edition one gains a real sense of the richness and diversity of court culture in the period. BRITISH STUDIES A first-rate edition that substantially advances the cause of scholarship. Cumulatively, the series is performing an important service by providing us with fully annotated editions of Tudor humanists and playwrights in the original Tudor English, with glossaries and listing of textual variants and doubtful readings.