Shakespeare's Plays: The Essential Guide

Shakespeare' s plays have provided audiences with some of the most accurate and enduring depictions of relationships, politics and the human condition. The rich language, multidimensional characters, and sparkling poetry have had a profound influence on dramatists, philosophers and historians for centuries. Today Shakespeare' s plays still delight audiences worldwide, and together form one of our cultural touchstones. Shakespeare contains an introductory section that examines Shakespeare' s life and reveals why his works are so universally appealing. Subsequent parts examine each of his 38 plays - every history, romance, comedy and tragedy - explaining their themes, contexts and literary and cultural significance. Each chapter is filled with colourful insight and contemporary analysis and includes fact boxes, summaries, statistics and more. This sumptuous book is ideal for fans, indispensable for students and a perfect gift for anyone interested in Shakespeare' s works.