The Oxford World's Classics edition offers a unique perspective on Joyce's works.

With the 100th Anniversary of "Ulysses" approaching, I find myself rereading Joyce for the first time in 25 - 50 years. This particular work is one that has remained on my radar for half a century.

I am reading it alongside the Penguin "Poems and 'Exiles'" edition (referred to as P hereafter - Mays 1992).

The notes in both editions, although relatively short - only about 4 - 5 pages each - are quite helpful. The Introductions are also beneficial, although Mays' can be a bit overly academic and abstract, making broad generalizations about Joyce and the play without providing specific citations from the works.

Clearly, the play is very autobiographical and has numerous references to Ibsen.

I can understand how Pinter might have directed it as a comedy, especially from the second half of the 2nd Act, where Bertha behaves in a coy and coquettish manner with Robert.

On the other hand, the first half of that act is rather difficult to read, with the two men engaged in "philosophical" arguments of the period. Interestingly, it is now quite funny in its own right, as the men "decide" what to do with Bertha between themselves. The humor lies in the fact that when she appears later, she has entirely different plans of her own.

Each edition has some nice additional material. Edition P includes Joyce's Notes (Buffalo collection) and some dialog notes he made as well (Cornell). The OWC adds 2 pieces Joyce wrote about drama, including his rather lengthy piece on Ibsen from 1900, when Joyce was only 18!

However, the play itself feels dated and has never been highly respected, which is perhaps as it should be. I would recommend it only for Joyce completists.

In some passages, it seemed to me that between the two male protagonists, they decided to divide Bertha among themselves without taking her into account, and this has bothered me a great deal. I didn't like this reading very much.

It is quite disturbing to see how Bertha is treated as an object to be distributed. Her feelings and opinions are completely ignored. This kind of behavior reflects a lack of respect and consideration for the individual.

The story fails to present a more empathetic and just approach to the situation. It makes me question the values and attitudes of the characters.

Overall, this aspect of the reading has left a negative impression on me, and I hope that future works will handle such themes with more sensitivity and understanding.

The long introduction was, unfortunately, more interesting than the play itself.

It was truly a pity that the play failed to maintain the same level of intrigue as its introduction.

The introduction had managed to pique my curiosity and draw me in, but the play itself only provided a few fleeting moments during which I experienced something like captivation.

As I sat there watching, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment.

The words in the blockquote, "Not that fear. But that I will reproach myself then for having taken all for myself because I would not suffer her to give to another hat was hers and not mine to give, because I accepted from her her loyalty and made her life poorer in love. That is my fear. That I stand between her and any moments of life that should be hers, between her and you, between her and anyone, between her and anything. I will not do it. I cannot and I will not. I dare not." added an extra layer of depth and emotion to the overall experience.

It made me think about the complex relationships and the sacrifices we make in the name of love and loyalty.

Despite the shortcomings of the play, those few moments of captivation and the powerful words in the blockquote left a lasting impression on me.

Meh.

I guess I am not the target audience for this piece. It seems that the content and style of this article do not resonate with me.

Perhaps it is aimed at a different group of people with specific interests or backgrounds.

I find myself not particularly engaged or interested in what is being presented.

However, that doesn't mean the article is bad. It may simply be that it doesn't match my personal preferences.

Maybe others will find it very useful and enjoyable.

It's important to remember that different people have different tastes and perspectives when it comes to reading and consuming written material.

So, while this piece may not be for me, it could be a great fit for someone else.

I'll continue to explore other articles and find ones that better suit my interests and needs.