King Richard III is one of Shakespeare's most popular and frequently-performed
plays. Janis Lull's introduction to this new edition, which is based on the
First Folio, emphasizes the play's tragic themes--individual identity,
determinism and choice--and stresses the importance of women's roles. A thorough
performance history of stage and film versions shows how the text has been cut,
rewritten and reshaped by directors and actors to enhance the role of Richard at
the expense of other parts, especially those of the women.