Edward III is a major new addition to the Shakespearean canon. Melchiori claims that Shakespeare is the author of a significant part of the play, the extent of which is discussed in detail. The introduction explores the play's historical background and its relationship to the early cycle of history plays. The commentary examines in depth the play's linguistic and poetic features, while an extensive appendix on the use of sources explains the stages of its composition.
Reviews
'Here in the elegant format emblematic of this collected edition ... is a play entitled King Edward III ... Giorgio Melchiori's introduction to the New Cambridge Edward III, together with the actual editorial presentation and appendix on the play's sources are models of learned scruple. What this superb edition compels us to keep asking is simply this: 'how did Shakespeare become Shakespeare?' Neither the history of literature nor of language provides a richer ground for wonder.' George Steiner, The Observer 'Anyone who reads through Edward III with an open mind will, I believe, accept that the Shakespeare canon is permanently enlarged. It is an exhilarating experience.' Contemporary Review
