In the introduction to this edition, Forker offers a discussion of Marlowe's use of sources and presents a new argument for the drama's five-act structure. He examines the various opinions concerning the genre and sexual politics of the play, and also includes a full record of the stage history.
This study explores the theme behind "Richard II" - the power struggle between monarchy and feudal nobility. The language and characters are thoroughly analyzed and lucidity explained to persuade the reader that many commonly held assumptions did not do justice to the drama's intentions. Graham Holderness has written many books including "Who's Who in D.H. Lawrence", "Shakespeare's History", "Shakespeare in The Taming of the Shrew" and "Romeo and Juliet".