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Preface to the Works of Shakespeare (1734) cover

Preface to the Works of Shakespeare (1734)

By Mr. Theobald
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About This Book

The preface sets out systematic principles for editing and restoring an older dramatic corpus, advocating literal criticism and close attention to language, metre, sources, and play chronology to correct corrupt passages. It explains methods of collating variant texts, proposing emendations, and annotating obscurities, and describes the composition of a concise biographical account and the intended scope of commentary. It addresses contemporary disputes with other critics, discusses collaborative contributions to the preface, and defends the necessity of rigorous textual scholarship to clarify meaning and guide future editions.

About the Author

Theobald, Mr. portrait

Mr. Theobald

Mr. Theobald was an English editor and critic, best known for his work on William Shakespeare's plays. His notable publication, "Preface to the Works of Shakespeare" (1734), provided a critical examination of Shakespeare's texts and aimed to clarify their meaning and significance. Theobald's contributions to Shakespearean scholarship were influential in the 18th century, as he sought to address perceived inaccuracies and omissions in earlier editions. His editorial approach laid the groundwork for future Shakespearean studies, highlighting the importance of textual fidelity and interpretation in literary criticism.

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