The Oxford Shakespeare offers authoritative texts from leading scholars in editions designed to interpret and illuminate the plays for modern readers - A new, modern-spelling text, collated and edited from all existing printings - Extensive introduction gives full attention to the play\047s bold treatment of racial themes, gender, and social relations - Detailed performance history designed to meet the needs of theatre professionals - On-page commentary and notes explain language, word-play, and staging - Appendices on music in the play and a full translation of the Italian novella from which the story derives - Illustrated with production photographs and related art - Full index to introduction and commentary - Durable sewn binding for lasting use \047not simply a better text but a new conception of Shakespeare. This is a major achievement of twentieth-century scholarship.\047