How did Shakespeare's plays sound when they were originally performed? How can we know, and could the original pronunciation ever be recreated? David Crystal recounts and reflects on Shakespeare's Globe's experiment with original pronunciation.

One of the world's most revered theatre directors reflects on a fascinating variety of Shakespearean topics.

Lucidly written, with no jargon, this is an invaluable overview of Shakespeare's life and works for students who may be studying Shakespeare for the first time.This is an ideal set text for modules on Shakespeare, Jacobean Drama or Renaissance/ Early Modern Literature which may be offered at all levels of an undergraduate Literature degree.

Offers a fresh and direct approach to the Shakespeare's Sonnets. This title discusses the meaning, technique, hidden structure and feverish narrative of the Sonnets, as well as the difficulties they present for the modern reader.

This volume brings together nineteen important articles by Pamela M. King, one of the foremost British scholars working on Early English Drama.

From the Royal Shakespeare Company - a modern, definitive edition of Shakespeare's tragic history of a ruler losing his grip on power.

This Handbook provides an introductory guide to Richard II offering a scene-by-scene theatrically aware commentary, contextual documents, a brief history of the text and first performances, case studies of three or four key performances and productions, a survey of film and TV adaptations, a wide sampling of critical opinion and further reading.

With interviews with actors and directors including Simon Russell Beale, Bill Alexander and Richard Eyre, along with detailed looks at productions at the RSC and elsewhere, this new edition of the play offers innovative ways of looking at and understanding Shakespeare, as well as student-friendly notes and summaries.

This introduction to the performance potential of one of Shakespeare's most theatrically exciting plays provides extensive commentary that explores the challenges faced by actors and directors and encourages readers to engage imaginatively with Shakespeare's words. Chapters on stage, film and critical history combine to form a comprehensive study.

This comprehensive edition of King Richard III offers all the features associated with the Arden Shakespeare. Richard is one of Shakespeare's great villains and the play that bears his name is one of his most popular in performance and in classrooms.

With outstanding on-page explanatory notes, an in-depth scene-by-scene summary and fascinating interviews with actors David Tennant and Alexandra Gilbreath and director Michael Attenborough, this fresh edition from the Royal Shakespeare Company offers enlightening new approaches to Shakespeare's tragic love story.

An introductory guide to 'Romeo and Juliet' in performance offering a scene-by-scene theatrically aware commentary, contextual documents, a brief history of the text and first performances, case studies of key productions, a survey of screen adaptations, a sampling of critical opinion and annotated further reading.

A major new edition of Shakespeare's tragedy arguing that the play is ultimately Juliet's. The illustrated introduction discusses the play's stage and screen history, its language and the many critical issues surrounding it.It gives a comprehensive, penetrating introduction to the play.On-page notes to deepen understanding.

From bestselling author Bill Bryson comes this compelling short biography of William Shakespeare, our greatest dramatist and poet.

This essential guide provides a comprehensive survey of the most important criticism surrounding As You Like It, one of Shakespeare's most popular and engaging comedies, from the earliest appraisals through to twenty-first century scholarship.

Shows that Shakespeare was a man of the theatre, one among a community of artists in the teeming world of Renaissance London. This book also sketches a gallery of Shakespeare's fellow playwrights.

A collection of essays by some of the major international literary and cultural critics on the Shakespeare authorship question and controversy. It explores the Authorship question as a social, cultural and even theological phenomenon and consider it in all its rich diversity and significance.

What is the significance of Shylock's ring in The Merchant of Venice? How does Shakespeare create Gertrude's closet in Hamlet? Why does Ariel prepare a banquet in The Tempest? In order to answer these questions, Shakespeare and Material Culture explores performance from the perspective of the material conditions of staging.

Shakespeare's position as England's national poet is established and unquestionable. But as James Shapiro illuminates in this revelatory new history, Shakespeare has long held an essential place in American culture.