Selected Glossary of Textual Terms
The following terms are arranged alphabetically
Conflation: A version of a play created by combining readings from more than one substantive edition. Since the early eighteenth century, for example, most versions of King Lear and of several other plays by Shakespeare have been conflations of quarto and First Folio texts.
Folio: A book-making format in which each large sheet of paper is folded once, making two leaves (four pages front and back). This format produced large volumes, generally handsome and expensive. The First Folio of Shakespeare's Plays was produced in 1623. For the purposes of this assignment, it is important to keep in mind that Shakespeare did not himself edit or assemble the First Folio. It was produced by two of his fellow actors, John Heminge and Henry Condell, seven years after his death. To view a facsimile of the opening page of the First Folio Lear, please click here.
Quarto: A book-making format in which each large sheet of paper is folded twice, making four leaves (eight pages front and back). Quarto volumes were smaller and less expensive than books printed in the folio format.
Speech Prefix: The indication of the identity of the speaker of the following line or lines. Early editions of Shakespere's plays often use different prefixes at different points to designate the same person. On occasion, the name of the actor who was to play the role appears in the place of the name of the character.