<p><i>Philaster</i> is a tragicomedy by Beaumont and Fletcher which has much in common with Shakespeare's late plays such as <i>The Winter's Tale</i>.<br>Set in a fictionalised Sicily, it has the complex plot of love,<br>disguise and the threat of death much loved by early modern<br>theatre-goers.</p><br><p>This edition provides an authoritative, modernised text by a leading<br>scholar with detailed on-page commentary notes giving readers a deeper<br>understanding of the play. The comprehensive, illustrated introduction<br>discusses <i>Philaster</i> from a performance perspective as well as<br>its relation to Shakespearean drama, and places it in its historical<br>and critical contexts. </p><br><p>The play is often taught on Shakespeare and Early Modern drama<br>courses but only now is such a detailed, modern edition available for<br>use by students and scholars. With its wealth of helpful and incisive<br>commentary, this is the finest edition of the play available.</p><br><p>The Arden Early Modern Drama series accompanies and complements the<br>Arden Shakespeare Third Series, offering editions of non-Shakespearean<br>Renaissance drama and Restoration drama from the period 1500-1700.<br>Modelled on the Third Series in appearance and style Arden<br>Early Modern Drama editions will offer high-quality textual scholarship<br>and full annotation, together with an accessible, student-friendly<br>introduction.</p>