Reader's Encyclopedia of Shakespeare

by M.J.F. Media

The most famous writer in the Western world and a cultural bellwether for four centuries, William Shakespeare has generated more research and criticism than any other literary figure in history.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0690674120
• ISBN13: 9780690674125
• Release Date: January 1966
• Publisher: Thomas Y. Crowell
• Length: 1014 Pages
• Weight: 3.70 lbs.

Customer Reviews

The only reference you will ever want on Shakespeare

OK Shakespeare fans, this is the one reference book you will ever need for all you would ever want to know about the Bard. It covers everything related to Shakespeare minus information on whether he wore briefs or boxers. (Everything else, though, is covered here--trust me!) And one thousand pages for $15? C'mon, this is well worth the price of a pizza! Of course, this is not something you would read word for word, but I have used it more than once to help me understand a play that I was about to see. However, you need to set aside the better part of an hour to read the article on the history and background of any one of his plays. There is also plenty of info on his other writings, including the sonnets. Besides visiting the reconstructed Globe theatre (which I have had the privilege of doing), owning this book is the only other requirement for the serious Shakespearean student/fan.My sole complaint is that the lettering is rather small (is is 7 pt or 8 pt? my eyes couldn't tell--ouch!). But hey, what do you expect for $15? A 2,000-page book?

Best Reference Book for Shakespeare's Literary Terms

If you want a comprehensive understanding of Shakespeare this is a must buy! I used this book constantly while taking a Shakespeare class. I have already reccomended it to numerous others and they found it just as useful. I'm now on my second copy because I wore the other one out!