Philasteris a tragicomedy by Beaumont and Fletcher which has much in common with Shakespeare's late plays such asThe Winter's Tale.Set in a fictionalised Sicily, it has the complex plot of love,disguise and the threat of death much loved by early moderntheatre-goers.
This edition provides an authoritative, modernised text by a leadingscholar with detailed on-page commentary notes giving readers a deeperunderstanding of the play. The comprehensive, illustrated introductiondiscussesPhilasterfrom a performance perspective as well asits relation to Shakespearean drama, and places it in its historicaland critical contexts.
The play is often taught on Shakespeare and Early Modern dramacourses but only now is such a detailed, modern edition available foruse by students and scholars. With its wealth of helpful and incisivecommentary, this is the finest edition of the play available.
The Arden Early Modern Drama series accompanies and complements theArden Shakespeare Third Series, offering editions of non-ShakespeareanRenaissance drama and Restoration drama from the period 1500-1700.Modelled on the Third Series in appearance and style ArdenEarly Modern Drama editions will offer high-quality textual scholarshipand full annotation, together with an accessible, student-friendlyintroduction.