A Theatergoer's Guide To Shakespeare provides a companion to the plots, characters and themes of Shakespeare's plays, and will delight both beginning theater buffs and those studying Shakespeare. Fallon's treatment avoids the usual jargon and presents a clear picture of the play's events and characters, providing lively commentary on the plots and history. A recommended picks for a wide range of audiences, from students to drama fans.

In this fine introduction to Shakespeare, Prof. Robert Fallon had more sense than to try to "dumb down" Shakespeare. It can't be done--however, you CAN approach Shakespeare simply and cleanly, as the "Dummies" guides absolutely fail to do. The appropriate approach is to present the basics that are required to appreciate Shakespeare's plays, and that is exactly what Fallon has done in an enjoyable, highly readable text with no frills, distracting unfunny cartoons and trivia quizzes. To put my cards on the table, I worked in the recent past in a publishing company where I was not permitted to publish this excellent introductory guide myself, because it did not take a "for dummies" approach. I greatly regretted the stupidity of this decision (ever have a stupid boss?) and I salute Fallon for filling a need on the theater shelves of the bookstores. And bravo to his intelligent publisher Ivan R. Dee for putting out a well-designed volume. So take it from me, a theater lover for ages: This is the guide to choose if you want to begin to feel comfortable with Shakespeare or just want a solid guide to complement your experience of the plays.

This survey of the major themes in Shakespeare's plays is meant not for a literary audience so much as for a theater audience of playgoers who seek to enjoy these performances. As such, chapters chronicle Shakespeare's most pervasive themes and how these patterns hold changing meaning to past and present viewers.