The
Shakespeare Handbooks
provide a helpful, straightforward guide to the work of the world's most celebrated dramatist. Along with a clear, easy-to-follow description of the plot, each book contains plenty of quotations from the text - with simple explanations of any unfamiliar words and phrases - and some thought-provoking comments from critics, past and present. The
include a few intriguing Shakespearean facts and figures, too. How old was Shakespeare when he wrote
Cymbeline
? How might the plague have influenced the writing of the play? Which recent discovery by Galileo is hinted at in
? Who described the play as 'vulgar, foolish, offensive, indecent and exasperating'? Which Victorian poet, by contrast, loved
so much that he was buried with a copy of the play in his coffin? What is a 'bawdy court', and why did a member of Shakespeare's family have to attend one? What are 'swathing clothes'? What - or who - is a 'snuff'? And a 'jay'? And a 'chimney-sweeper'? If you're apprehensive about approaching a Shakespeare play, the
provide the perfect introduction. They're ideal for students, theatregoers - in fact, anyone curious to know more about the greatest plays in the English language. These are a few of the appreciative comments we've received about the
:
"Tremendously useful in helping to understand Shakespeare's works" - Dame Judi Dench.
"Very readable, very helpful" - Sir Kenneth Branagh.
"The
open the plays up admirably. Excellent for all levels of reader - everybody will get something from them." - Simon Callow.