SHAKESPEARE, William. Measure for Measure [extracted from the Second Folio, 1632]. [London: Printed by Tho. Cotes, for Robert Allot …]. [1632].
Folio in sixes. Recently bound in full brown morocco, gilt fillets to sides, spine with gilt raised bands and lettering; pp. 61-84; trimmed at head with loss to ruled border and headline, occasional spots, otherwise very clean, very good.
Extracted from the Second Folio of 1632 (the second edition of Shakespeare's complete plays). The Second Folio is basically a reprint of the First Folio of 1623 with some minor emendations. It was followed by the Third Folio in 1663 (reprinted 1664) and the Fourth Folio in 1685. Generally thought to have been written in 1603 or 1604, Measure for Measure, an exploration of political and sexual intrigue, had its first recorded performance by the King's Men on St. Stephen's Night, the 26th of December, 1604. It has since become categorised as one of Shakespeare's problem plays - neither comedy nor tragedy, it combines elements with the two with a certain violent humour alongside fine, noble soliloquies.
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