Shakespeare's works were preserved and transmitted through printed books from "summary" of Shakespeare and the Book by David Scott Kastan,George M Bodman Professor of English David Scott Kastan
The survival of Shakespeare's plays and poems is a remarkable story of textual transmission. These works have come down to us not through handwritten manuscripts, as was the case with many other authors of the same period, but through printed books. The first collected edition of Shakespeare's works, known as the First Folio, was published in 1623, seven years after his death. This monumental volume was compiled by two of Shakespeare's fellow actors, John Heminges and Henry Condell, who sought to preserve his plays for future generations. Without their efforts, many of Shakespeare's works might have been lost to history. The printing of Shakespeare's plays was not a straightforward process. Individual plays were often published separately in quarto editions, which were small, cheaply produced books. These quartos were sometimes published without the author's permission, leading to errors and variations in the text. In some cases, multiple quarto editions of the same play exist, each with its own unique features. Scholars have spent centuries trying to piece together the most authoritative versions of Shakespeare's plays based on these early printed editions. The publication of the First Folio in 1623 was a major turning point in the history of Shakespeare's reception. This large, expensive volume contained thirty-six of Shakespeare's plays, eighteen of which had never been published before. The editors of the First Folio were careful to use authoritative sources for the text, including playhouse promptbooks and earlier quarto editions. While the First Folio is not without its flaws, it remains one of the most important sources for understanding Shakespeare's plays as they were originally performed. In the centuries since the publication of the First Folio, Shakespeare's works have continued to be printed and reprinted in countless editions. These editions have been used by scholars, actors, directors, and readers to interpret and engage with Shakespeare's plays in new and innovative ways. The printing of Shakespeare's works has made them accessible to a wide audience, ensuring that his plays and poems will continue to be read, performed, and studied for generations to come.
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