The Shakespeare Encyclopedia: The Complete Guide to the Man and His Works

by A.D. Cousins (Editor)

A beautifully illustrated reference that provides a deeper understanding of Shakespeare and his time. Some four centuries after they were written, William Shakespeare's plays and poems still delight audiences and readers worldwide, and together form one of our cultural touchstones. The profound themes and beautiful language speak to us across time and place, and the story of how a boy from rural England became the "soul of the age" continues to intrigue. The Shakespeare Encyclopedia is an authoritative, visually exciting, and entertaining guide to all things Shakespeare, explaining the themes, plots, and contexts of his works, their literary and cultural significance, and uncovering some of the mystery of the man himself. In his many plays, poems, and sonnets, William Shakespeare crafted perhaps the most accurate and enduring depictions of relationships, politics, and the human condition written in the English language. His works are read and seen by millions around the world, and the rich language, vividly drawn characters, sparkling poetry, and perceptive insights into human truths continue to have a profound influence on writers, artists, and filmmakers. The Shakespeare Encyclopedia is a stimulating and accessible guide to all of Shakespeare's known works, as well as to the man himself. Part One focuses on Shakespeare's life, placing him firmly in his time, a period of rapid religious, cultural, and economic change, and reveals why his works are so universally appealing. Part Two looks at each of his 38 plays-every history, comedy, tragedy, and romance, from the well known ( Hamlet , Othello , A Midsummer Night's Dream ) to the obscure ( King John , Pericles , Cymbeline ). Part Three examines Shakespeare's poetry, both the long narrative poems and the sonnets-some of the best-loved verse in the English language. Throughout this volume, text, diagrams, and images combine to enrich our understanding of Shakespeare's timeless literary creations. Each work's themes, imagery, language, and historical context are examined and discussed in accessible language, while sidebars give at-a-glance information on plots, characters, sources, settings, and famous quotations. In addition, detailed diagrams, charts, and tables throw light on the plays' characters and their interrelationships, and illustrate the true history behind the plots. Finally, carefully selected images of stage and film productions, from different cultures and historical periods, convey the drama, pathos, and humor that suffuse Shakespeare's works.

Genres: Nonfiction, Shakespeare

304 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really lovely. A.D. Cousins and his team have assembled an erudite, matter-of-fact gloss over Shakespeare's life and career.

Each play is given at least 2 large pages (sometimes up to 12) covering the basic plot, the play in performance, the history and sources, and any other relevant information. Some of the major plays get considerably more than this, exploring social attitudes and the play's critical fortunes, for example. (The same treatment is given to all of the dramatist's poems.)

Cousins and his team are wonderfully inclusive, which I think is great. The gorgeous colour pictures that accompany every page range from film shots of 21st century movies to portraits and photographs of 19th century actors in costume, and everything in between. The pages are regularly dotted with quotes as well, to really inform the casual Bardolater.

What I particularly like about "The Shakespeare Encyclopedia" is that it remains quite intelligent: the authors are primarily academics, and this shows sometimes in their use of language. At the same time, they keep their feet on the ground, and so this book will make a great introduction for someone coming to Shakespeare and his works. (On the matter of sex and bawdiness, the book is a bit dainty in its language - perhaps the publishers' requirements - but doesn't hesitate to discuss the matter of bawdy jokes or sexuality where appropriate.)

Longtime Shakespeare buffs like myself will of course want to see some areas fleshed out, and it can be annoying when an oft-disputed statement (e.g. Prospero's final speech being a deliberate farewell from Shakespeare) is stated almost as fact, simply due to space limitations. But there's no deliberate attempt at subterfuge here, just a desire to truly capture Shakespeare's essence for the neophyte reader. And they've done well. (The "Further Reading" section is filled with delights, but perhaps they could've put a key text for each work in bold, since I would be most daunted by this if I was a newcomer!)

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with this book at my college library. While writing my thesis on Shakespeare, I must have photo copied every page in this book since you could not take reference materials out of the library. I bought the book right after a got an A on my thesis.

[SusanwithaGoodBook · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely, big book with great photos, maps, charts, and graphs. This is a MUST HAVE for a fan of the Bard. It, too, has a section for each play, but they're in order by publication date, so you can see the way Shakespeare's writing developed over time.

[Debi Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing research, beautifully written, and easy to read. One of the best books (non-fiction) I have read in a long time. You do not have to read it all at once. It is set up so you can do a play a night if you wish or push through to the end.

[Jun Gonzales · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has information on all of Shakespeare's work as well as the man himself. The articles are well written, interesting, and I enjoy reading books with pictures and this has lots of them, on every page. I just wish sometimes the graphics are related to the article on the page. I have a tendency to give away books I like, but I shall keep this one for a long time (its a gift from my wife) when I want to have an idea what the play is about before going to see it.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book to look at with paintings and photographs of the plays/actors. Lots and lots of information about the man, each play and the sonnets, more than I could take in. This will make a very good reference book for all things Shakespeare.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book to just flip through--nice photos and good info. I wouldn't necessarily call it essential reading, but it might make a really nice gift for a fan.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author seems pretty pressed. He insulted a lot of scholars/scholarly work. But this book is awesome, if only for the pictures.