The Foundations of Shakespeare’s Text

'The Foundations of Shakespeare’s Text' is a seminal scholarly exploration into the bibliographic origins and textual transmission of William Shakespeare’s plays. Written by the renowned bibliographer Alfred W. Pollard, this work examines the crucial distinctions between the 'good' and 'bad' quartos, providing a rigorous framework for understanding how the Bard’s words were preserved from manuscript to printed page. Pollard’s analysis revolutionized Shakespearean studies by shifting the focus toward a scientific examination of printing practices, early editions, and the physical evidence within the texts themselves.This volume serves as an essential guide for students of Elizabethan drama and textual criticism. It delves into the complexities of the First Folio and the various quarto editions, offering insights into the editorial decisions that have shaped modern interpretations of Shakespeare’s canon. By establishing a firm foundation for textual integrity, Pollard helps readers appreciate the historical context and the meticulous labor required to reconstruct the authentic voice of the world’s most celebrated playwright. 'The Foundations of Shakespeare’s Text' remains a foundational text for anyone interested in the intersection of bibliography, history, and literary scholarship.This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.