We all know about Shakespeare, so a review of his writing is not required. However, I would like to say that the Everyman's Library series are worth getting. Unlike omnibus editions (such as the Riverside Shakespeare), these are actually portable so you don't need a table to hold them up while you are reading. The Everyman's Library series have good hardbindings, are conveniently sized to carry around, and have illuminating and extensive introductions. The typeface used is old, but the letters are large and easily readable (something that is a concern with some other editions).

Histories, Volume 1 contains: Henry VI, Part One; Henry VI, Part Two; Henry VI, Part Three; Richard III; King John

Histories, Volume 2 contains: Richard II; Henry IV, Part One; Henry IV, Part Two; Henry V; Henry VII

Instant Shakespeare provides a tested technique for actors, directors and teachers of Shakespeare's plays, allowing performers from all cultures and levels of experience to perform his places with a fresh new attention to detail. From an analysis of the problems involved in the usual interpretation and training of Shakespearean actors to a solid understanding of his vocabulary and play structure, this is an excellent literary guide.

This book covers the 1986 season of The Stratford Festival, from the first day of rehearsal of each production. Actually, it starts prior to the season with the selection of John Neville as artistic director.
Mr Gaines has comments from the cast, directors, designers and others that give a real insight as to what goes into putting all the productions together, on both the artistic and financial side.
This is a fascinating look at the world of one of North America's most respected theatre companies.

This review is presented by the general editor of TextWord Press to enable the potential buyer to become aware of the special features in this text.
The student-friendly TextWord edition of Shakespeare's classic play of ambition and revenge precludes the need for any supplementary study guides! Our exclusive format includes IN OTHER WORDS segments that "translate" difficult passages into modern English, STAGECRAFT and LANGUAGE ARTS that present explanations of theatrical conventions and further explore Shakespeare's ingenious use of language, and HELPFUL DEFINITIONS that explain archaic words, unusual usages, and clever puns. Included in the text are CHECKQUIZZES, LITERARY CRITIQUES, WRITING and JOURNAL WORKSHOPS, and specially designed exercises on SHAKESPEARE'S LANGUAGE and SHAKESPEARE'S USAGE. Students who conscientiously follow the TextWord format will be well equipped to deal with any literary or language challenges they may face in the future.

James Vickers' Cliffs Notes for Shakespeare's "Julius Caesar" begins with a short biography of the Bard that focuses on what little the historical record tells us about the man. A Brief Synopsis of the Play is followed by a List of Characters that not only tells us who they are but their primary roles in the play. The Summary and Commentary section of the volume breaks down the play scene by scene, and the best way of using this or any other little yellow book with the black stripes is to read the commentary after you have read each scene of the play. This is especially important with Shakespeare because the dialogue is so important and Vickers does not work in as many choice lines as some of the other Cliffs Notes for Shakespeare plays. You cannot deal with Shakespeare if you do not know the key lines. The last section dealing with Character Analyses looks as Caesar, Antony, Octavius, Brutus and Cassius, referring back to the analysis already established regarding the individual scenes. What you will not get from this volume if you are teaching/reading "Julius Caesar" is how the play touches upon the political realities of Elizabethean England. But Vickers does an excellent job throughout of capturing how Shakespeare uses the play to manipulate the audience. Remember, the celebrated funeral oration by Marc Antony is being listened to on stage by a Roman mob that is being watched by an audience of Londoners in the theater. This is one of the better jobs at capturing how Shakespeare constructed a play.

I consider this play by Shakespeare an exquisite masterpiece. This is a unique piece of literature in that we can see that life is not usually a battle between good and evil, but rather a battle between people with different views. Cassius and Caesar both have traits that present them as ambitious and dangerous. Yet, Shakespeare also leads us into having great sympathy for both of them at times. Cassius honestly fears that Caesar will be the terror of Rome. And yet, we can also understand that Caesar knows that to be an effective ruler, he must maintain a strong autocratic hold. Brutus is tricked into joining the conspiracy, but honestly feels that he is serving Rome, and even when things get difficult he holds on to the situation with both hands up until the very end. Mark Antony sees Caesar's death as the start of chaos in Rome and he does his absolute best to crush the conspiracy and restore order. It is interesting that rather than gloating over his victory he offers his respect to his defeated foe. But "Julius Caesar" also offers interesting psychological moments. While Cassius and Brutus are very different people, they manage to stick together through the consequences of their actions. Mark Antony shows himself to be a master of psychology when in 3.2, he wins over the multitude Brutus had won over moments earlier. (This is not an invention of Shakespeare's. It really happened.) It is also an interesting psychological aspect that Mark Antony first appears as little more than a servant to do Caesar's bidding. Yet, when Caesar is killed, Mark Antony clearly shows himself to be the most intelligent and able person in the play. He grabs control with both hands and uses it in a more effective manner than anyone. We must not neglect the women in the play either. The appearance of Caesar's wife is brief, but she clearly shows herself to be a loyal and devoted wife. Furthermore, this helps us see the domestic aspect of Caesar's tragedy. Also, the appearance of Brutus' wife helps us to see that Brutus' concern over Rome's well being has struck him so much that his domestic life has taken a back seat. Also, Shakespeare makes use of bad omens like the soothsayer who warns Caesar (as well as all of us) of the dangers to come. When the ghost of Caesar appears to haunt Brutus, it would seem that Caesar becomes to Brutus, what the soothsayer was to him. Finally, I can not overestimate the mastery of Shakespeare's writing when the first 3 acts lead up to the brutal slaying of Caesar. And, just when we think the worst has happened, Mark Antony delievers his soliloquy and makes it clear that the game has only started. In addition to the play, I highly suggest the old (1953) black and white movie where James Mason does Brutus and Marlon Brando does Mark Antony.

I thought that this was a great study of various Jungian archetypes and their applications to Shakespearian "myths". This was especially a nice addition to the plays I saw in Ashland, OR. I totally reccomend this in depth analysis.

This edition is REALLY Helpful. While assisting to understand the unusual language, it still leaves room for the intelligent reader to figure out the plot without reading a summarry. Large margins are great for taking notes, and the book is very well bound, and is made with high quality paper.

This edition includes Pericles, a prince who solves a riddle given by a king and is pursued because he discovers a terrible secret; Cymbeline, a story about Rome battling England with the memorable heroine, Imogen, and her jealous husband Posthumous. Happy Ending, but Imogen deserves better; Winter's Tale tells the story of incredibly Jealous husband Leontes and his suffering wife/heroine Hermione. A fairy tale to be told on a Winter's Eve; Tempest, a story of an exiled Magician who lives on an island with a fairy, Ariel, his daughter, Miranda, and a beast called Caliban.

All these stories are entertaining fairy tales with romantic themes. Highly recommended.

Palfrey gives such a fresh insight into the late plays that I found myself rushing back to the texts. The book fizzes and crackles with ideas and is often breathtaking in its vision and ambition. It is written with intelligence and wit and is clearly the work of a really original thinker. A refreshing change from most scholarly texts. Highly recommended.