Author(s): Michael Schmidt

Culture & Ideas

"The Shakespeare Handbook" is the definitive Bard-in-brief. Presenting 50 of the most significant and best-loved scenes from Shakespeare, each extract is preceded by a summary of the play - its plot, characters and themes. The scenes themselves are beautifully and clearly laid out, with key quotes highlighted and explained, and illustrated with a famous painting, drawing or still. Arranged chronologically to show the progression in Shakespeare's style and themes, the seminal scenes chosen by Professor Schmidt range from the comedy of Bottom's head turning into that of an ass to the tragedy of Cleopatra's death and from the wonderful love scenes of the "Merchant of Venice" to the bloody dealings of "Richard III". This book showcases the Bard's greatest dialogue, from 'Must he needs die?' and 'Is this a dagger ...?' to 'Once more unto the breach' and 'All the world's a stage'. It encompasses all of Shakespeare's plays, from the lesser-known "Cymbeline", "King John", "Titus Andronicus" to the most famous scenes of all time in "Romeo and Juliet", "King Lear", "Hamlet", and "Macbeth".