The Complete Works of Shakespeare [38 plays, 4 poems, sonnets]

A balanced editorial approach, a highly respected editor, and proven apparatus combine to make Bevington the most student-friendly introduction to Shakespeare on the market.

The fifth edition of this comprehensive anthology addresses the two key issues confronted by students approaching Shakespeare today: a lack of knowledge about the historical period and difficulty with the language of Shakespeare’s plays. A richly illustrated general introduction offers insight into Shakespeare’s England and background on the literary and cultural contexts in which Shakespeare wrote and produced plays. Each play is introduced by a descriptive essay designed to help students appreciate the cultural contexts and interpretive issues raised by the play, without dictating students’ interpretations. Thoroughly revised and updated notes and glosses support student readers line by line, paraphrasing Elizabethan idioms in clear and accessible language.

New to This Edition

Expanded coverage of stage performance and film. Introductory essays for each play have been revised and updated to include additional information on historical and modern performances, describing how stage and film directors have dealt with interpretive and cultural issues.

New 16-page color section, “Shakespeare’s World: A Visual Portfolio,” includes historical documents, art, and photos to allow students to grasp the cultural context in which Shakespeare wrote. The Visual Portfolio also includes photos and production stills taken from recent stage and film productions, to help students to visualize on-stage scenes and dramatic situations.

Completely revised and updated notes and glosses assist modern student readers by providing clear, accessible paraphrases and contexts for Shakespearean idioms and word-play, while incorporating state-of-the-art critical insight and scholarship on the plays.