A Trick to Catch the Old One
By Thomas Middleton
Published on 18. May 2017
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-5261-1693-2 (ISBN)
Description
This edition presents a thoroughly reconsidered text based on collation of all known copies of the 1608 quarto (including material unnoticed by earlier editors).
Textual analysis draws on detailed internal investigation and the printer's wider practice to propose that relatively improvisational procedures and a paper quota governed A Trick's printing operations. Discovery of an overlooked record revises the date of court performance to 1 January 1607, with implications for the play's early history. Critical discussion freshly examines the play's multi-layered ironic texture in relation to such issues as the status of women, marriage's relation to prostitution and vice versa, and the contemporary marriage market. And the Courtesan receives special attention in the context of this overarching ironic scheme. An extensive stage history explores original staging and documents revivals to 2011. The commentary is the most wide-ranging and comprehensive of all modern editions. -- .
Textual analysis draws on detailed internal investigation and the printer's wider practice to propose that relatively improvisational procedures and a paper quota governed A Trick's printing operations. Discovery of an overlooked record revises the date of court performance to 1 January 1607, with implications for the play's early history. Critical discussion freshly examines the play's multi-layered ironic texture in relation to such issues as the status of women, marriage's relation to prostitution and vice versa, and the contemporary marriage market. And the Courtesan receives special attention in the context of this overarching ironic scheme. An extensive stage history explores original staging and documents revivals to 2011. The commentary is the most wide-ranging and comprehensive of all modern editions. -- .
Reviews / Votes
'The persuasiveness with which Mulholland presents a large body of evidence from a complex textual history of the play makes this a ground-breaking edition of A Trick, and one that will have a long shelf life. The edition will stand out among others, not only because of the wealth of evidence and the clarity with which it is presented, but also because new findings are offered convincingly, while familiar evidence is re-assessed in accordance with the latest directions in textual scholarship.' Goran Stanivukovic, Saint Mary's University, Halifax -- .More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Manchester
United Kingdom
Illustrations
2 black & white illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 19 mm
Weight
446 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-5261-1693-2 (9781526116932)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Paul Mulholland is a Professor of English and Theatre Studies at the University of Guelph -- .
Content
Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Textual Introduction
2. This edition
3. Date
4. Sources
5. Critical Appreciation
6. Productions
a) Original Staging
b) Stage History
A Trick to Catch the Old One
Appendix I Press Variants
Appendix II Lineation
Appendix III Thomas Ravenscroft and 'The Scrivener's Servant's Song of Holborn', City Conceits 12, Melismata (1611), by David Klausner
Appendix IV Opening of 3.1 in Q1 -- .
Introduction
1. Textual Introduction
2. This edition
3. Date
4. Sources
5. Critical Appreciation
6. Productions
a) Original Staging
b) Stage History
A Trick to Catch the Old One
Appendix I Press Variants
Appendix II Lineation
Appendix III Thomas Ravenscroft and 'The Scrivener's Servant's Song of Holborn', City Conceits 12, Melismata (1611), by David Klausner
Appendix IV Opening of 3.1 in Q1 -- .