[PDF] Improvisation On the Edge: Notes from On and Off Stage by Ruth Zaporah in Arts-Photography

Description

Shakespearersquo;s King Lear challenges us with the magnitude; intensity; and sheer duration of the pain that it represents. Its figures harden their hearts; engage in violence; or try to alleviate the suffering of others. Lear himself rages until his sanity cracks. What; then; keeps bringing us back to King Lear? For all the force of its language; King Lear is almost equally powerful when translated; suggesting that it is the story; in large part; that draws us to the play. The play tells us about families struggling between greed and cruelty; on the one hand; and support and consolation; on the other. Emotions are extreme; magnified to gigantic proportions. We also see old age portrayed in all its vulnerability; pride; and; perhaps; wisdommdash;one reason this most devastating of Shakespearersquo;s tragedies is also perhaps his most moving. The authoritative edition of King Lear from The Folger Shakespeare Library; the trusted and widely used Shakespeare series for students and general readers; includes: -The exact text of the printed book for easy cross-reference -Hundreds of hypertext links for instant navigation -Freshly edited text based on the best early printed version of the play -Full explanatory notes conveniently placed on pages facing the text of the play -Scene-by-scene plot summaries -A key to the playrsquo;s famous lines and phrases -An introduction to reading Shakespearersquo;s language -An essay by a leading Shakespeare scholar providing a modern perspective on the play -Fresh images from the Folger Shakespeare Libraryrsquo;s vast holdings of rare books -An annotated guide to further reading Essay by Susan Snyder The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington; DC; is home to the worldrsquo;s largest collection of Shakespearersquo;s printed works; and a magnet for Shakespeare scholars from around the globe. In addition to exhibitions open to the public throughout the year; the Folger offers a full calendar of performances and programs. For more information; visit Folger.edu.