The Definitive Shakespeare Companion : Overviews, Documents, and Analysis [4 Volumes]

Alphabetical list of plays and poems -- A preface for users -- A Shakespeare chronology -- v. 1. Overviews and the history plays. Overviews: William Shakespeare's age / Harold Branam ; William Shakespeare's life / Joseph Rosenblum ; William Shakespeare's theater / Robert E. Willson Jr. ; William Shakespeare's texts / Roze Hentschell ; William Shakespeare's language / Barry B. Adams ; The authorship questions / Joseph Rosenblum -- History plays. Overview: Shakespeare's history plays / Sonia Suman ; Henry VI, Parts 1,2, and 3 / John D. Cox ; Richard III / Andrew Macdonald, Gina Macdonald, and Cindy Chopoidalo ; King John / Michael Egan and Jessie Herrada Nance ; Richard II / Nicholas Crawford and Cindy Chopoidalo ; Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 / Rebecca Fletcher McNeer ; Henry V / Sheryl A. Clouse and Sonia Suman ; Henry VIII / Yashdip S. Bains and Gaywyn Moore ; Edward III / Nicholas Birns ; Sir Thomas More / Lucy Munro --;"Shakespeare's works often served to convey simple truths, but they are also complex, multilayered masterpieces. Shakespeare drew on varied sources to create his plays, and while the plays are sometimes set in worlds before the Elizabethan age, they nonetheless parallel and comment on situations in his own era. Written with the needs of students in mind, this four-volume set demystifies Shakespeare for today's readers and provides the necessary perspective and analysis students need to better appreciate the genius of his work. This indispensable ready reference examines Shakespeare's plots, language, and themes; his use of sources and exploration of issues important to his age; the interpretation of his works through productions from the Renaissance to the present; and the critical reaction to key questions concerning his writings. The book provides coverage of each key play and poems in discrete sections, with each section presenting summaries; discussions of themes, characters, language, and imagery; and clear explications of key passages. Readers will be able to inspect historical documents related to the topics explored in the work being discussed and view excerpts from Shakespeare's sources as well as reviews of major productions. The work also provides a comprehensive list of print and electronic resources suitable for student research." -- Publisher's website Alphabetical list of plays and poems -- A preface for users -- A Shakespeare chronology -- v. 1. Overviews and the history plays. Overviews: William Shakespeare's age / Harold Branam William Shakespeare's life / Joseph Rosenblum William Shakespeare's theater / Robert E. Willson Jr. William Shakespeare's texts / Roze Hentschell William Shakespeare's language / Barry B. Adams The authorship questions / Joseph Rosenblum -- History plays. Overview: Shakespeare's history plays / Sonia Suman Henry VI, Parts 1,2, and 3 / John D. Cox Richard III / Andrew Macdonald, Gina Macdonald, and Cindy Chopoidalo King John / Michael Egan and Jessie Herrada Nance Richard II / Nicholas Crawford and Cindy Chopoidalo Henry IV, Parts 1 and 2 / Rebecca Fletcher McNeer Henry V / Sheryl A. Clouse and Sonia Suman Henry VIII / Yashdip S. Bains and Gaywyn Moore Edward III / Nicholas Birns Sir Thomas More / Lucy Munro -- v. 2. The comedies. Overview: Shakespeare's comedies / E. L. Risden The comedy of errors / Robert Appelbaum The taming of the shrew / Kimberly Reigle and Gina Macdonald The two gentlemen of Verona / Owen E. Brady Love's labors lost / Jessica Winston A midsummer night's dream / Jay L. Halio The merchant of Venice / Jay L. Halio The merry wives of Windsor / Michelle Ephraim and Carolyn E. Brown Much ado about nothing / David W. Cole and Abigail Rokison-Woodall As you like it / Yashdip S. Bains and Michelle M. Sauer Twelfth night / Gina Macdonald and Rebecca Munro Troilus and Cressida / Charles R. Trainor All's well that ends well / Regina Buccola Measure for measure / Nicholas Birns -- v. 3. The tragedies. Overview: Shakespeare's tragedies / Stuart Elden Titus Andronicus / Deborah Willis Romeo and Juliet / Michelle M. Sauer Julius Caesar / Robert G. Blake and Rebecca Munson Hamlet / Jay L. Halio Othello / Robert F. Willson Jr. and Steve Gehrke King Lear / Jay L. Halio Macbeth / Matthew Woodcock and Christopher McMillan Antony and Cleopatra / Harold Branam and Michelle M. Sauer Coriolanus / Andrew Macdonald and Kent Lehnhof Timon of Athens / Robert Appelbaum -- v. 4. The romances and poetry. The romances. Overview: Shakespeare's romances / Regina Buccola Pericles / Gary Waller and Katherine Gillen Cymbeline / Gary Waller and Ronald J. Boling The winter's tale / Gary Waller and Rebecca Munson The tempest / Gina Macdonald and Brinda Charry The two noble kinsmen / Yashdip S. Bains and Marissa Nicosia -- The sonnets. Overview: Shakespeare's sonnets / James B. Gutsell Sonnet 3 / Michelle M. Sauer Sonnet 12 / Charles R. Forker Sonnet 15 / Patrick Perkins Sonnet 18 / Roze Hentschell Sonnet 19 / Priscilla Glanville Sonnet 20 / Roze Hentschell Sonnet 29 / Robert G. Blake Sonnet 30 / Barry B. Adams Sonnet 35 / Jeremy Lopez Sonnet 55 / Gayle Gaskill Sonnet 60 / Robert G. Blake Sonnet 65 / Barry B. Adams Sonnet 71 / Robert Appelbaum Sonnets 73 and 74 / Nicholas Birns Sonnet 76 / Yashdip S. Bains Sonnet 87 / Barry B. Adams Sonnet 91 / Jeremy Lopez Sonnet 94 / Robert Appelbaum Sonnets 97 and 98 / Jeremy Lopez Sonnet 106 / Kirk Bazler Melnikoff Sonnet 116 / Annalisa Castaldo Sonnet 126 / Steven Doloff Sonnet 128 / Gayle Gaskill Sonnet 129 / Annalisa Castaldo Sonnet 130 / Gina Macdonald with Andrew Macdonald Sonnets 135 and 136 / Elizabeth Moore Willingham Sonnet 138 / Elizabeth Moore Willingham Sonnet 144 / Andrew James Hartley Sonnet 146 / Yashdip S. Bains Sonnet 147 / Robert Appelbaum Sonnets 153 and 154 / Yashdip S. Bains -- The longer poems. Overview: The longer poems / Joseph Rosenblum A lover's complaint / Ilona Bell and Paul D. Stegner Venus and Adonis / Yashdip S. Bains and Benjamin C. Miele The rape of Lucrece / Bruce E. Brandt The phoenix and turtle / Nicholas Birns The passionate pilgrim / Peter Kanelos and Lindsay Ann Reid -- Appendix: Shakespeare resources on the Web. This expansive four-volume work gives students detailed explanations of Shakespeare's plays and poems and also covers his age, life, theater, texts, and language. Numerous excerpts from primary source historical documents contextualize his works, while reviews of productions chronicle his performance history and reception. Shakespeare's works often served to convey simple truths, but they are also complex, multilayered masterpieces. Shakespeare drew on varied sources to create his plays, and while the plays are sometimes set in worlds before the Elizabethan age, they nonetheless parallel and comment on situations in his own era. Written with the needs of students in mind, this four-volume set demystifies Shakespeare for today's readers and provides the necessary perspective and analysis students need to better appreciate the genius of his work. This indispensable ready reference examines Shakespeare's plots, language, and themes; his use of sources and exploration of issues important to his age; the interpretation of his works through productions from the Renaissance to the present; and the critical reaction to key questions concerning his writings. The book provides coverage of each key play and poems in discrete sections, with each section presenting summaries; discussions of themes, characters, language, and imagery; and clear explications of key passages. Readers will be able to inspect historical documents related to the topics explored in the work being discussed and view excerpts from Shakespeare's sources as well as reviews of major productions. The work also provides a comprehensive list of print and electronic resources suitable for student research. Provides a one-stop resource that overviews all of Shakespeare's most important plays and poems Includes primary material—such as historical accounts of issues contemporaneous with the plays and excerpts from reviews of stage productions—that puts these works in their literary, theatrical, and historical context Elucidates key controversies regarding Shakespeare's literary work through alternate viewpoints that will help promote critical thinking skills Helps students analyze Shakespearean themes and characters, explain how authors utilize sources, and evaluate critical interpretations of literature "This expansive four-volume work gives students detailed explanations of Shakespeare's plays and poems and also covers his age, life, theater, texts, and language. Numerous excerpts from primary source historical documents contextualize his works, while reviews of productions chronicle his performance history and reception.• Provides a one-stop resource that overviews all of Shakespeare's most important plays and poems• Includes primary material--such as historical accounts of issues contemporaneous with the plays and excerpts from reviews of stage productions--that puts these works in their literary, theatrical, and historical context• Elucidates key controversies regarding Shakespeare's literary work through alternate viewpoints that will help promote critical thinking skills• Helps students analyze Shakespearean themes and characters, explain how authors utilize sources, and evaluate critical interpretations of literature"--EBSCO This reference gives students detailed explanations of Shakespeare's plays and poems and covers his age, life, theater, texts, and language. Numerous excerpts from primary source historical documents contextualize his works, while reviews of productions chronicle his performance history and reception