Twelfth Night: The Pelican Shakespeare

Bought for my daughter for her English Literature A Level course.She loves the style and layout of this particular publisher.Having tried various other publications she found them to be a little confusing and disorganised due to the layout and lack of spacing.This version allows her space to write her own notes plus there is a clear visual definition between each speaking character, making it much easier and clearer to pick out specific parts.In her opinion this is a fantastic must have for English Literature at A Level.

Twelfth Night is one of Shakespeare's liveliest and most accessible romantic comedies - but also deals intelligently with issues of gender, sexual desire, class and social harmony.The enchanting story of Viola dressed as the page Cesario, with whom both Orsino and Orsino's erstwhile object of desire fall in love, is filled with rapturous poetry that articulates love, desire and romantic melancholy. But these central relationships are modulated by Malvolio's desire for his mistress Olivia, the bawdy comedy of Sir Toby Belch, and Antonio's unrequited desire for Viola's twin, Sebastian.Ultimately social harmony is restored - but the portrait of Malvolio gives us an insight, perhaps, into how characters such as Edmund in King Lear, and Iago are created.So a sunny, feel-good romantic comedy, but shaded lightly by a darker tinge.

Normally I hate Shakespeare comedies but as I am seeing it in January i thought I would read it first. Too my astonishment I really enjoyed it and the comedy comes through beautifully. Maybe it was because I was forced to study As you like it. I may enjoy it more at my own leisure. Bawdy, sexual but subtle. Great footnotes by the RSC edition. Funny too- Adrian Edmondson as Malvolio- can't wait.

Perfect to introduce Shakespeare to children, we bought it for a 8 year old, he sat down in an armchair and did not stop reading until he finished.A week later we saw the play in Stratford and he had no problem following the story, he even new the different characters.

Purchased a used copy. Was in good condition, though these books are smaller than I was expecting. Somewhat small to be read aloud by multiple students passing around the same copy.