A. T. Moore's thorough commentary on "Love's Sacrifice" is designed to
be of use to all kinds of readers, from students of Early Modern drama
to specialists in the field. The notes provide full explanations of
obscure words and phrases, and offer analyzes of many aspects of staging
and interpretation. The text for this edition is based on a fresh study
of the quarto of 1633, the only authoritative early text. In his
introduction to the play, Moore reappraises the evidence for the play's
date of composition. He also looks at the circumstances of the play's
genesis, presenting detailed discussions of both the theater where
"Love's Sacrifice" was first performed and the acting company for which
it was written. Arguing that Ford's adaptation of his source materials
is the key to interpreting this remarkably allusive play, Moore provides
a wealth of new information about Ford's sources.The introduction also
includes a survey of critical responses, an overview of the play,
stage
history, and a bibliography of relevant secondary material. This new
volume in the "Revels Plays" series is the most detailed and
comprehensive edition of "Love's Sacrifice" ever published - and the
first modern-spelling edition of Ford's tragedy in more than a century.
The play's textual history is discussed in an appendix. A second
appendix examines possible links between "Love's Sacrifice" and the
real-life story of the murdered Italian prince and musician Carlo
Gesualdo.
