Presents the original text of Shakespeare's play side by side with a modern version, discusses the author and the theater of his time, and provides quizzes and other study activities.

Scant facts about the Bard's personal life make for fertile ground in imagining the Shakespeare of Elizabethan England. Bill Bryson manages to weave together a witty, albeit brief, narrative that explores topics from the accuracy of the few extant pictures to whether Shakespeare actually wrote all that has been attributed to him.

Explores how Shakespeare became famous and influential, and why he is still considered a great writer.

Challenges popular beliefs about the estranged nature of Shakespeare's marriage to Ann Hathaway, placing their relationship in a social and historical context that poses alternative theories about her rural upbringing and role in the bard's professional life.

An intimate history of Shakespeare, following him through a single year--1599--that changed not only his fortunes but the course of literature. How was Shakespeare transformed from being a talented poet and playwright to become one of the greatest writers who ever lived? In this one exhilarating year we follow what he reads and writes, what he sees, and whom he works with as he invests in the new Globe Theatre and creates four of his most famous plays--Henry...

Nearly 3,000 entries and over 50 illustrations provide information on all facets of Shakespeare's life and works.

This encyclopedia brings together for the first time in a single volume the greatest wealth of information on Shakespeare and his works: more than 2700 entries, written in clear, readable style, based on the best scholarship. This book includes entries dealing with every aspect of: Shakespeare's works, Shakespeare the man, great Shakespearean characters, how the plays have been performed, critical commentary on Shakespeare, and important documents...