Shakespeare A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More

by Charles Boyce

- What famous essayist insisted that Shakespeare's plays were unfit for performance?
- Which two plays center on the Hundred Years' War?
- In which scene of "Romeo and Juliet" does the Nurse report -falsely- that Juliet is dead and thus seal Romeo's tragic fate?

The answers are easily found in "Shakespeare A to Z," the only single-volume reference to virtually everything one needs -or wants- to know about the Bard. Wonderfully informative, this comprehensive work includes 3,000 entries and 50 illustrations covering:

- EVERY PLAY, including scene-by-scene synopses, critical commentary, sources, textual commentary, and theatrical history
- EVERY CHARACTER, from Aaron to Young Talbot, including those without speaking parts
- THE POEMS, including the sonnets and long works in verse
- ACTORS, PRODUCERS, AND DIRECTORS, including William Kempe, Charles Laughton, Sarah Bernhardt, Sir Laurence Olivier, and others who have brought the plays and characters to life over the centuries
- PLACES, real and imaginary, important to Shakespeare's life and works
- THEATRICAL AND LITERARY TERMS that relate to the plays and poetry
- CONTEMPORARIES OF SHAKESPEARE, including family members, friends and colleagues, patrons, and historical figures
- AUTHORS, SCHOLARS, AND PUBLISHERS of Shakespeare's works, critical studies, and histories - and much more, all in easily accessible encyclopedic format.

Genres: Shakespeare, Reference, Nonfiction, Plays, Literature, History, Theatre

742 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1990

Reviews

[Sadia Mansoor · Rating 4 out of 5]

The A to Z about Shakespeare is just a click away :)
http://npu.edu.ua/!e-book/book/djvu/A...

[David]

I've consulted it many times over 33 years but only now read it through. Lots of interesting information. Probably overdue for a revised edition by now.

[Rozonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I owe this book more than I'll ever be able to repay. It helped me to love and enjoy Shakespeare even more , and it also helped me to get better marks in my university career (and some fo my friends' too- it was often borrowed) In fact it led such a harsh life I had to throw the tattered copy away and buy a new one, which I lined this time. (now I have an e-copy)Even if sometimes it is a bit snobbish (not including Kenneth Branagh, for example, who is despectively alluded to in the Henry V entry) and repetitive, it remains a highly valuable tool for students and Shakespeare lovers. Plays, characters, actors and actresses, theatres, productions, critics- everything is here.

[Zachary Waltz · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an encyclopedia resource. As with any encyclopedia, entries are mostly condensed; one gets access to a large array of topics on Shakespeare. This book does provide some extensive information on each plays, namely, a scene by scene summary, an analysis, a list of its sources, and a history of its production. The value of this work depends on how much reference you need to investigate and also how much you can find better elsewhere.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I find this especially helpful if I'm going to re-read a play.It helps me remember names, etc., so that I can get more out of the nth read.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indispensable....

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastic Shakespeare resource. Very useful.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource!