The Taming of The Shrew: Third Series - Arden Shakespeare

In this review the Arden edition of The Taming of The Shrew is assessed for readers, students and directors who need a careful, annotated scholarly text that separates Shakespeare's play from its contested reception history. The edition's single biggest selling point is its editorial clarity: the editors present an accessible, freshly edited playtext while including The Taming of A Shrew in an appendix so readers can compare two related sixteenth-century plays within one volume. This makes it ideal for study, production research and anyone wanting a nuanced, authoritative modern scholarly edition.

Key Features

• Complete edited text: Presents a carefully edited version of The Taming of The Shrew that aims to free the play from accumulated critical assumptions so readers can form their own interpretations.
• Appendix text: Includes the full text of The Taming of A Shrew in an appendix, allowing direct comparison of the two sixteenth-century plays without consulting a separate volume.
• Introduction and commentary: Provides focused discussion of the theatrical and critical debate surrounding the play, which helps contextualize staging and scholarship choices.
• Comprehensive editing: The editorial work supplies a text more open to interpretation than many editions, useful for directors seeking fresh perspectives on character and tone.
• Scholarly contributors: Edited and introduced by established Shakespeare scholars, offering trusted academic framing for coursework and theatrical preparation.

Who It's For

This edition is best for university students, theatre practitioners and literary scholars who need a dependable, annotated text that engages with interpretive controversy rather than obscuring it. The focus on both theatrical debate and editorial transparency makes it especially suitable for drama courses and rehearsal rooms.

Readers who want a lightweight paperback for casual reading or a version prioritizing modernized language for leisure may prefer a different, more abridged or contemporary-text edition. This Arden volume is aimed at readers who value authoritative notes and comparative textual access over plain-language modernization.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Thorough editorial apparatus that clarifies textual choices and supports close reading and academic use.
• Inclusion of The Taming of A Shrew in an appendix gives practical comparative material for study and production planning.
• Introductory and commentary sections engage directly with the play's contested critical history, aiding interpretive debate.

Cons

• The edition's scholarly focus may feel dense for readers seeking a lighter, modern-language reading experience.

Specifications

Title	The Taming of The Shrew: Third Series (The Arden Shakespeare Third Series)
Editors and contributors	Barbara Hodgdon, Richard Proudfoot, Ann Thompson, David Scott Kastan, H. R. Woudhuysen
Included text	The Taming of The Shrew with The Taming of A Shrew in an appendix
Focus	Introduction and commentary on theatrical and critical debate
Intended audience	Students, scholars, theatre practitioners
Series	The Arden Shakespeare Third Series

Our Verdict

The Arden edition of The Taming of The Shrew is a worthwhile purchase for anyone needing a rigorous, annotated text that clarifies editorial decisions and presents comparative material in one volume. It offers strong value for students and directors who will use the introduction and appendix for teaching or staging, and it rewards readers who want to engage with the play's contested meanings rather than a simplified version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this edition include the variant play A Shrew?
Yes, the full text of The Taming of A Shrew is included in an appendix to allow direct comparison with the main play.

Is the language modernized for casual readers?
No, this Arden edition preserves the playtext with scholarly editing and commentary rather than offering a modern-language adaptation.

Is the book suitable for staging a production?
Yes, the editorial notes and theatrical focus make it useful for directors and actors planning interpretation and rehearsal.