This charming little book is a handy reference guide to some of Shakespeare’s best-known quotes. Divided into sections by topic, the book lists a seriThis charming little book is a handy reference guide to some of Shakespeare’s best-known quotes. Divided into sections by topic, the book lists a series of quotes that fit each section’s theme, as well as the play or poem from which the quote was taken. This slender volume isn’t cluttered with commentary or even with background information; consequently, the casual reader can peruse many different remarks one right after another. I found that this approach made for a surprisingly deep and strangely moving experience. And despite the brevity of the excerpts, Shakespeare’s talent and his unique voice come through loud and clear....more
Magnificent attention to detail! This book offers an amazing look at the science behind the deaths in Shakespeare’s plays.
But let’s start at the begiMagnificent attention to detail! This book offers an amazing look at the science behind the deaths in Shakespeare’s plays.
But let’s start at the beginning. Before even going into Shakespeare’s literary treatment of death, this book explores the idea of death as it would have been understood in Shakespeare’s day. This was a time when public executions were common occurrences, and theatre-goers who would watch Romeo and Juliet die on the stage might just as easily have witnessed actual deaths on a scaffold. Death was present, and talked about, and seen all around. It wasn’t something that was only ever euphemistically referred to in hushed tones—it was part of the fabric of society, and a deeply personal part of everyone’s life. Shakespeare’s very profession had been shaped by death. He was a playwright struggling to support himself and his family during at time when going to the theatre was often illegal. Due to the large numbers of people dying from the plague, all sorts of public gatherings, including theatres, were banned. This was the time when Shakespeare would turn to writing poetry to support himself and his family. Then the disease would die down, he’d return to London, and he’d continue to write plays until the next major outbreak. And disease didn’t just shape his profession: it also killed his only son when he was only 11 years old. Death was a very intimate part of Shakespeare’s life. No wonder it turned up so often in his plays.
In describing his plays, the scope and the depth of this book surprised me immensely. It covers all the deaths that Shakespeare used in all his plays, and it divides them into chapters based on type, such as poison, execution, war, bear attack, etc. (And yes, I’m serious about those bears.) Everything is grounded in context: the death-related excerpts of Shakespeare’s plays are given in context of the larger plot, and, in the case of the histories, Shakespeare’s details are compared with those of the historical record. Then, the death, as described by Shakespeare, is given a very thorough scientific analysis. How many of Shakespeare’s deaths are realistic? (Quite a lot, it seems.) How about when he’s vague: what are the different possible explanations? (Did I mention that this book has a lot of fascinating conjecture? So many possibilities!) Can Claudius really have poisoned his brother by pouring it in his EAR? Do poisons even work that way? (No spoilers here. You’ll have to read the book to find this one out!) Parts of this book are morbid and gruesome, but mostly it’s a highly readable and clear scientific analysis. It makes connections to modern cases and treats the deaths, as much as possible, with dignity and respect. All in all, a compelling look at the many ways to shuffle off this mortal coil....more
These charming illustrations are sure to delight even the non-Shakespeare fans who discover it. This book does not tell the story of any of ShakespearThese charming illustrations are sure to delight even the non-Shakespeare fans who discover it. This book does not tell the story of any of Shakespeare's plays; rather, it illustrates specific scenes from many of them, accompanied by relevant quotes from Shakespeare's text. The result is a series of tableaux vivantes, a collection of a few key images from a variety of the Bard's comedies, histories, and tragedies. Recommended to all Shakespeare fans and cat lovers....more
I hope I did this right: I'm trying to review the Wordsworth Classics edition, ISBN 1853260096, which is an okay version, for the most part, although I hope I did this right: I'm trying to review the Wordsworth Classics edition, ISBN 1853260096, which is an okay version, for the most part, although it has some careless mistakes. Most jarring was Hamlet's "What a piece of work is man" speech, where the punctuation is so wrong that it separates the subject and verbs from a few clauses and pairs them with chopped-up pieces of other clauses, completely changing the meaning without changing the words. "In action, how like an angel; in apprehension, how like a god" has become this: "In action, how like an angel in apprehension, how like a god." An angel in apprehension? An apprehensive angel? What does that even mean? "In apprehension, how like a god" has been quoted enough in literature that it should have been familiar. Aggravating!
Particular editions aside, the play is still good. I just feel like this publication was dashed off in a hurry....more
Funny and irreverent, this is what reading Shakespeare would be like if Hamlet were a comedy RPG. Play as either Hamlet, Ophelia, or Hamlet Sr. DelighFunny and irreverent, this is what reading Shakespeare would be like if Hamlet were a comedy RPG. Play as either Hamlet, Ophelia, or Hamlet Sr. Delightful modern anachronisms and snarky narration add to the joy. This book is perfect for Shakespeare fans who can laugh a little at some of his characters’ more foolish decisions, or for anyone who has ever felt a little bit frustrated with the Bard. If you don’t like how one adventure ends, go back and choose another. Quirky and fun....more
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