The First Quarto of King Richard III - Early Quartos

Our review of The First Quarto of King Richard III finds it essential for anyone serious about textual scholarship or the history of Shakespearean performance. This edition presents the 1597 Quarto alongside a careful collation of variant readings and substantial textual notes, and it advances a clear argument about memorial reconstruction by the Lord Chamberlain's Men. For readers who want to understand why the Quarto and the First Folio diverge, this edition provides the single biggest benefit: rigorous documentation of roughly 2,000 verbal differences that illuminate how an early touring text may have become the printed Quarto.

Key Features

• Textual collation: A line-by-line collation of variant readings shows the differences between the 1597 Quarto and the First Folio so readers can trace specific changes.
• Substantial notes: Detailed textual notes explain editorial choices and situate variant readings in their historical and performance contexts.
• Argument for memorial reconstruction: The editor presents a sustained case that the Quarto derives from a memorially reconstructed manuscript used during touring performances.
• Focus on early texts: The edition treats the Quarto as an independent witness to the play, useful for editors and students comparing authoritative versions.
• Scholarly apparatus: Collation and commentary are arranged to support close reading and further research into textual transmission.

Who It's For

This edition is aimed at scholars, graduate students, and advanced undergraduates in Shakespeare studies who need a reliable presentation of an early, variant text and the scholarly apparatus to interpret it. It is particularly valuable for those studying textual transmission, performance history, or editorial method.

General readers who prefer a single authoritative modern text or a performance-friendly edition might find the detailed collation and technical notes more exhaustive than necessary and should consider a modern critical edition for comfortable reading.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a comprehensive collation that makes the roughly 2,000 verbal differences accessible for study.
• Substantial textual notes clarify editorial decisions and historical context for variant readings.
• The argument about memorial reconstruction offers a meaningful interpretive framework for both editors and historians.

Cons

• The focus on collation and variants means this is a scholarly edition, not a streamlined reading text for casual readers.

Specifications

Title	The First Quarto of King Richard III (The New Cambridge Shakespeare: The Early Quartos)
Editor	Peter Davison
Author	William Shakespeare
Textual witness	1597 Quarto compared with 1623 First Folio
Key finding	Approximately 2,000 verbal differences documented
Approach	Collation of variants and substantial textual notes

Our Verdict

This edition is recommended for anyone pursuing serious textual work or performance history because it combines thorough collation with persuasive interpretation about memorial reconstruction; as a specialist resource it offers excellent value for scholars and students who need primary evidence and careful commentary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include both Quarto and Folio texts?
It presents the 1597 Quarto with a collation against the 1623 First Folio rather than printing both in full side by side.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes for seminars and advanced courses focused on textual criticism or performance history; general introductory classes may prefer a more accessible modern edition.

Who edited this volume?
The edition and accompanying argument are presented by editor Peter Davison.