Shakespeare’s plays are regarded, rightly, as masterpieces of literature. They are read, studied and performed all over the world.
Yet many people, whether as readers or theatregoers, are daunted by the sheer complexity and richness of the plays: the twists and turns of the plot, the obscurity of the vocabulary, the elaborate interplay of ideas.
If you are apprehensive about approaching a Shakespeare play, but are curious to know more, the Shakespeare Handbooks provide the perfect introduction. Each book includes:
- A complete, straightforward description of the plot, scene by scene, in language that is clear, lively and concise;
- Quotations from the text, with explanations of any unfamiliar words or phrases;
- Some thought-provoking facts and ideas about the play, and a few comments from critics, past and present.
Reading or watching Shakespeare is an experience to be enjoyed to the full: by guiding you through the difficulties of plot and language, the Shakespeare Handbooks leave you free to enjoy the depth, beauty and vitality of Shakespeare’s work.
