Synopsis
Taffeta phrases, silken terms precise, three-piled hyperboles, spruce affectation, figures pedantical," (Love's Labor's Lost)...you'll find all these and more in this comprehensive, easy-to-use, and thoroughly enjoyable collection of timeless poetry, proverbs, and sayings from the most quotable author in literary history.
Margaret Miner and Hugh Rawson have carefully selected over 3,000 quotations and arranged them under more than 400 topics to put Shakespeare at your fingertips. Readers who turn to "Life" will find Prospero's haunting reflection, "We are such stuff as dreams are made on." Speech-writers seeking "words of Wisdom" are reminded of Polonius's comment that "Brevity is the soul of wit."
Extensive cross-referencing makes the volume easy to use, and an index of key words helps locate those elusive, tip-of-the-tongue quotations quickly. Shakespeare lovers and researchers will find it especially helpful that over half the entries are annotated with fascinating historical background, notes on Shakespeare's sources, an explanation of the context of the quote, or a definition of an Elizabethan word or phrase. The volume also includes a brief biography of Shakespeare and a chronological listing of his plays and poems. And all line references for the quotations are keyed to the respected and popular Signet Classic editions edited by Sylvan Barnet.
Filled with familiar treasures and unexpected delights, A Dictionary of Quotations From Shakespeare offers exquisitely stated, witty, and deeply profound commentary on life as we still experience it today, on our emotions and needs, and on both the grandeur and the foolishness of the human condition. It is a reference work that is as enlightening as it is useful - an essential book for readers, writers, students, speakers, and language lovers everywhere.
Reviews
The focus of this entertaining dictionary, the authors say, is on "quotations that are likely to be of practical use for writers and speakers today . . . and relevant to modern times and present-day problems." Consequently, among the 400 categories are such headings as democracy, media, public relations, and Star Wars. Nearly half the quotations are annotated, with useful information about meaning and context, but the authors at times spoil it by giving vent to their own irrelevant opinions. They seem determined to demythologize the English victory at Agincourt described in Henry V ; their comment, "Lines that some in England might find applicable today" is a silly gloss on "This England that was wont to conquer others,/ Hath made a shameful conquest of itself." For public libraries.
- Bryan Aubrey, Fairfield, Ia.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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