The Shakespeare Encyclopedia: The Complete Guide to the Man and His Works

Written by an international team of historians and Shakespeare scholars, The Shakespeare Encyclopedia is an authoritative, visually exciting and entertaining guide to all things Shakespeare. It clearly and succinctly explains the themes, plots and contexts of his works, reveals their literary and cultural significance, and even uncovers some of the mystery of the man himself. The Shakespeare Encyclopedia features more than 200 full-color photographs, artworks, illustrations, charts and diagrams. Throughout, these images combine to enrich our understanding of Shakespeare’s timeless literary creations. Each work’s themes, imagery, language and historical context are closely examined and discussed in accessible language, while sidebars give at-a-glance information on plots, characters, sources, settings and famous quotations. In addition, detailed diagrams, charts and tables throw light on the plays’ characters and their interrelationships, and illustrate the true history behind the plots. Excerpts of Shakespeare's plays and poetry are integrated into each chapter, and special features explore the latest historical research about Shakespeare's personal life, including important details about his childhood, family relationships, professional conflicts and much more. Finally, carefully selected images of stage and film productions, from different cultures and historical periods, convey the drama, pathos and humor that suffuse Shakespeare’s works.