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The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare
From the conjectured identity of the Dark Lady of the Sonnets to misprints in the First Folio, from Shakespeare's favorite figures of speech to the staging of Othello in South Africa, The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare offers the most comprehensive coverage available on all aspects of
Shakespeare's life and works.
Illustrated with more than 100 photographs and boasting contributions from a team of internationally renowned scholars (including such noted Shakespeare authorities as Helen Vendler, Park Honan, and Jonathan Bate), the Companion has more than 3,000 entries that offer succinct, stimulating, and
authoritative commentary on Shakespeare's life and times, his plays and poems, and their interpretation around the world over the last four centuries. All Shakespeare's plays--from As You Like It and All's Well that Ends Well to King Lear and Hamlet --are covered in major articles. There are concise
descriptions of allusions in Shakespeare (Ajax, Agamemnon), well-known critics (Samuel Johnson, John Dryden), great Shakespearian actors (Richard Burbage, Lawrence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh), characters in the plays (Mercutio, Ophelia), figures of speech (metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron), and much more.
Longer articles explore topics such as Shakespeare's birthplace, censorship, the Chamberlain's Men, film, and Shakespeare's reception in such countries as China, Italy, and the United States.
Bringing its readers up to date not only with the latest in Shakespearian scholarship and controversy but with the plays' most recent incarnations on stage, film, and in international popular culture, this is the perfect companion to Shakespeare's works, covering everything from Aaron to
Zeffirelli, and from Shakespeare in schools to Shakespeare in Love .
Shakespeare's life and works.
Illustrated with more than 100 photographs and boasting contributions from a team of internationally renowned scholars (including such noted Shakespeare authorities as Helen Vendler, Park Honan, and Jonathan Bate), the Companion has more than 3,000 entries that offer succinct, stimulating, and
authoritative commentary on Shakespeare's life and times, his plays and poems, and their interpretation around the world over the last four centuries. All Shakespeare's plays--from As You Like It and All's Well that Ends Well to King Lear and Hamlet --are covered in major articles. There are concise
descriptions of allusions in Shakespeare (Ajax, Agamemnon), well-known critics (Samuel Johnson, John Dryden), great Shakespearian actors (Richard Burbage, Lawrence Olivier, Kenneth Branagh), characters in the plays (Mercutio, Ophelia), figures of speech (metaphor, metonymy, oxymoron), and much more.
Longer articles explore topics such as Shakespeare's birthplace, censorship, the Chamberlain's Men, film, and Shakespeare's reception in such countries as China, Italy, and the United States.
Bringing its readers up to date not only with the latest in Shakespearian scholarship and controversy but with the plays' most recent incarnations on stage, film, and in international popular culture, this is the perfect companion to Shakespeare's works, covering everything from Aaron to
Zeffirelli, and from Shakespeare in schools to Shakespeare in Love .
541 pages, Hardcover
First published September 28, 2001
11 people are currently reading
234 people want to read
About the author
Michael Dobson
204Ìýbooks6ÌýfollowersSee also:
Michael S. Dobson for the author of non-fiction works on business, alternate history fiction, and RPG books.
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Mike J. Dobson for historical works on the Romans and food.
Michael S. Dobson for the author of non-fiction works on business, alternate history fiction, and RPG books.
Michael B. Dobson for medical works.
Mike J. Dobson for historical works on the Romans and food.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 3, 2021
Very handy and solid introduction to Shakespeare and excellent accompaniment to his pieces.
June 2, 2013
This is part of my Shakespeare reference collection, which includes:
A Companion to Shakespeare
Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare
Essential Shakespeare Handbook
Imagining Shakespeare
Northrop Frye on Shakespeare
Shakespeare After All
Shakespeare: An Oxford Guide
Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human
The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare
The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare
For the plays I’ve read, I’ve also read the relevant sections in these reference books. When I pick up the next play in my Shakespeare reading list, I start by reading the relevant section in these books, and also to refer back when necessary to get the background, history of performance and literary criticism. I've found that learning the cultural and historical context of the play helps me understand and enjoy Shakespeare more.
As it's title implies - this book is a great "Companion to Shakespeare" it presents encyclopedic entries on virtually any topic matter related to or about Shakespeare. If you have a question and need more information - it's a handy book to have while you're reading the Bard.
A Companion to Shakespeare
Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare
Essential Shakespeare Handbook
Imagining Shakespeare
Northrop Frye on Shakespeare
Shakespeare After All
Shakespeare: An Oxford Guide
Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human
The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare
The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare
For the plays I’ve read, I’ve also read the relevant sections in these reference books. When I pick up the next play in my Shakespeare reading list, I start by reading the relevant section in these books, and also to refer back when necessary to get the background, history of performance and literary criticism. I've found that learning the cultural and historical context of the play helps me understand and enjoy Shakespeare more.
As it's title implies - this book is a great "Companion to Shakespeare" it presents encyclopedic entries on virtually any topic matter related to or about Shakespeare. If you have a question and need more information - it's a handy book to have while you're reading the Bard.
September 6, 2012
As one might expect, this text contains interesting, fact-filled, compelling explanations and thought-provoking illustrations.
However, I give it three stars because, in typical British fashion, it is way over-written and over-analyzed.
Shakespeare and Mozart share many parallels. Perhaps chief among them is this: They were both common, flawed mortals who made both human mistakes and incredible works of art. They both had their share of detractors as well as supporters -- as one might expect. Until they died, of course.
They've both been Gods ever since.
While I adore them both, and cherish their art; to venerate either with such adulation is dishonest to history and threatens to pull the value of their art until there are but strands of it left unmarred by over-analysis.
This book, like many, makes such mistakes while pulling Shakespeare apart at the seams.
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February 22, 2023Notes to self: this is not the book I’m looking for. I want something that will take the place of a university course in Shakespeare (which I never got the chance to take), with chapters that will educate me on the meaning of his plays. This book turns out to be more like an encyclopedia, with alphabetical listings of people, places, and things found in the places or related to Shakespeare’s life. They’re interesting and they’d potentially be useful to someone new to his works, but it isn’t what I need. There are also a few pages on each play with a synopsis and information on when it was first performed and how the play has been viewed over the years in broad terms.
June 25, 2010
OK - I haven't really read this cover to cover, but I used it recently whilst reading The Rape of Lucrece and thought it was fantastic. Besides entries on individual works and characters there are articles about Shakespeare's contemporaries, literary, theatrical and political, among others. Also entries on famous productions, filmic, radio, recorded and even stage versions!
Need to know where Dunsinane is? Or Agincourt? Look it up on the map of Shakespeare's Europe. Need to know which Monarch followed which - or was killed or had how many children? Look it up on the Shakespeare Royal family tree.
This book is endlessly fascinating; in about 300 words I learned more about the work of T.S. Eliot than in all the critical discussions I've ever been party to; want to know when the first translation of Shakespeare into any major language was made? Look it up!
Easily used, easy to read, informative and fun!
Need to know where Dunsinane is? Or Agincourt? Look it up on the map of Shakespeare's Europe. Need to know which Monarch followed which - or was killed or had how many children? Look it up on the Shakespeare Royal family tree.
This book is endlessly fascinating; in about 300 words I learned more about the work of T.S. Eliot than in all the critical discussions I've ever been party to; want to know when the first translation of Shakespeare into any major language was made? Look it up!
Easily used, easy to read, informative and fun!
March 1, 2011
This was selected as an Outstanding Reference Source for 2002. For the complete list, go to
October 13, 2011
Excellent encyclopedia of all things Shakespeare.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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