The Routledge Anthology of Renaissance Drama - Complete Texts

In this review of The Routledge Anthology of Renaissance Drama the bottom line is straightforward: this volume is for students, teachers and readers who need a single, annotated collection that situates major English plays in their political and historical contexts. The anthology assembles newly edited texts and thorough annotation for ten influential plays, making it useful as a course text or research reference; its editorial apparatus and headnotes give clear guidance on textual history and thematic links across works, so readers can follow how plays relate to one another.

Key Features

• Newly edited texts: Each play is presented in a fresh scholarly edition that clarifies variant readings and restores readable text for study and teaching.
• Thorough annotation: Detailed notes accompany the plays to explain historical, legal and textual references that can otherwise confuse modern readers.
• Introductory headnotes: Prefatory essays for each play summarize its thematic focus and textual history, helping readers understand provenance and interpretation.
• Cross-references between plays: Editorial cross-referencing highlights recurring motifs, political concerns and dramatic strategies across the anthology for comparative study.
• Representative selection: Ten plays span tragedy, comedy and masque, offering a broad view of Renaissance theatrical forms and authorship issues.

Who It's For

This anthology is aimed primarily at undergraduate and graduate students of English literature and drama who need reliable texts and context for course work, as well as lecturers assembling a syllabus around Renaissance theatre. It is also valuable to general readers with a sustained interest in early modern drama who want accessible editorial guidance.

Readers who require exhaustive textual apparatus such as full critical apparatuses, variant-text facsimiles or specialized monographs on a single play should look elsewhere; this book favors a balanced, classroom-friendly editorial approach over exhaustive scholarly apparatus.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid editorial work provides clear, readable texts suitable for close reading and teaching.
• Headnotes and annotations place plays in their historical and political context, aiding interpretation.
• Selection covers a wide range of genres and important English dramatists, useful for comparative modules.

Cons

• The anthology does not replace full critical editions with exhaustive textual variants for specialist textual critics.

Specifications

Title	The Routledge Anthology of Renaissance Drama
Editors	Simon Barker, Hilary Hinds
Contents	Ten plays including The Spanish Tragedy, Edward II, The Changeling and The Knight of the Burning Pestle
Editorial features	Introductory headnotes, cross-references and thorough annotation
Genres included	Tragedy, comedy, masque and collaborative drama
Use case	Course text, teaching anthology, general study

Our Verdict

The Routledge Anthology of Renaissance Drama is a strong, classroom-ready collection that balances readable, newly edited texts with helpful editorial guidance. Students and instructors will find it good value for teaching and comparative study, while specialists seeking full critical apparatuses may prefer individual scholarly editions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this anthology include textual notes?
Yes. Each play is thoroughly annotated and prefaced by a headnote that discusses textual history and themes.

Which plays are included?
The volume includes ten plays such as The Spanish Tragedy, Edward II, The Roaring Girl, The Changeling and The Knight of the Burning Pestle.

Is this suitable for classroom use?
Yes. The collection is designed for teaching and comparative study, with cross-references and accessible editorial material for students.