A siglum is a short, unique identifier used to represent a specific manuscript or printed source of a Shakespearean play. It's typically a single letter, like "Q" or "F," or a combination of letters, like "Q1" or "F1."
Here's how it works:
* Q: Represents a Quarto edition of a play.
* F: Represents a Folio edition of a play.
* Numbers: Distinguish different editions within a type (e.g., Q1, Q2, F1, F2).
For instance, "sig. Q1" would refer to the first Quarto edition of a play.
Sigla are important for understanding the textual history of Shakespeare's plays because they indicate different versions and potential variations in the text.