Shakespeare's works were consumed and experienced through the printed page from "summary" of Shakespeare and the Book by David Scott Kastan,George M Bodman Professor of English David Scott Kastan
Shakespeare's works were intimately connected to the medium of the printed page. While his plays were originally performed on the stage, it was through printed texts that they reached a wider audience and achieved lasting fame. Printing allowed Shakespeare's words to be disseminated far beyond the confines of the theater, enabling readers to engage with his works in new and transformative ways. The publication of Shakespeare's plays in quarto and folio editions played a crucial role in shaping the reception of his work. These printed texts were not merely reproductions of performances, but were carefully edited and curated to present Shakespeare's plays in a literary form. Printers and publishers made editorial decisions that influenced how readers understood and interpreted Shakespeare's words, shaping the reception of his plays for centuries to come. The printed page also allowed for the preservation and dissemination of Shakespeare's works over time. Printed editions of Shakespeare's plays were more durable than the ephemeral performances on the stage, ensuring that his words could be passed down from generation to generation. The widespread availability of printed texts also democratized access to Shakespeare's works, allowing readers of all social classes to engage with his plays. Furthermore, the printed page provided a space for readers to engage with Shakespeare's works on their own terms. Readers could linger over a particularly striking passage, flip back and forth between scenes, and annotate the text with their own thoughts and interpretations. The printed text allowed for a more intimate and personal engagement with Shakespeare's works, enabling readers to form their own relationships with his plays. In this way, the printed page was not just a medium for transmitting Shakespeare's words, but a crucial part of the experience of his works. The act of reading Shakespeare's plays on the printed page was a transformative and enriching experience, shaping how readers understood and engaged with his timeless works. Through the printed word, Shakespeare's plays became not just performances to be watched, but texts to be read, savored, and cherished.
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