PREFATORY NOTE The text of The Granta Shakespeare is based on the fourth and last edition of Johnson and Steevens in 1793. It has been carefully revised and collated with later texts, modernised in spelling and punctuation and brought into line with generally accepted emendations. Where later conjecture has not been universally approved, the reading of the old text has, in many cases, been retained. Excision has been very sparingly made. In the notes and comments, the aim of the edition is to give all that is indispensable for the intelligent enjoyment of the play. The brief glossary is devoted chiefly to the varying shades of meaning of terms often apparently simple. J. H. L. London November 1915 |