All Things Shakespeare: An Encyclopedia of Shakespeare's World [Two Volumes] [Hardcover]

Kirstin Olsen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0313315035 | ISBN-13: 978-0313315039

Falstaff loved sack. But who made the sack, and how? What did Hamlet know about poison? What did astrology mean to a couple of star-cross'd lovers back in the day? This unique encyclopedia compiles an enormous breadth of information about Shakespeare's world. More than 200 articles, most accompanied by vivid illustrations, combine rich historical detail with informative, insightful descriptions on the form and function of obscure and everyday items found in Shakespeare's works. Students can look up meanings of specific terms and concepts, and readers, researchers, actors, and audiences will enjoy the lively--and sometimes humorous--essays on myriad topics including anatomy, astronomy, clothing, currency, death, entertainment, hunting, medicine, mythology, tools, weapons, and much more. A table of weights and measures illuminates such terms as "cade," "firkin," and "hogshead." Maps pinpoint many of the locations mentioned in Shakespeare's plays and poems. Each term notes in which works the item can be found, and a chronology of historical events referenced in Shakespeare's plays concisely identifies the important events that figure in the plays. Teachers can use the index to find each citation of an assigned play, or use the bibliography and topic guide for assignments and research paper ideas. Going beyond mere definitions, the depth of information and illustrations provided in this encyclopedia will give readers a clear sense of the world that Shakespeare knew and wrote about.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Unlike such standard Shakespeare references as Michael Dobson's The Oxford Companion to Shakespeare, which focus on the works, this detailed and informative encyclopedia describes Shakespeare's physical environment, including common objects, daily activities, and popular beliefs and attitudes. Information is grouped into general topic clusters such as "Behavior," "Clothing and Dress," "Furniture," "Fire," and "War and Peace," and particular attention is paid to details of clothing, furniture, and the manufacture and use of such common products as beer, pewter, and books. Within the 200-plus entries, references are made to the play, act, and scene in which Shakespeare mentions the item or activity being discussed. Also included are subject and title indexes, a chronology of the historical events referred to in Shakespeare's plays, and a useful bibliography subdivided by topic. This work provides more detail than John F. Andrews's Shakespeare's World and Work: An Encyclopedia for Students, e.g., both references have entries on clothing, but Olsen's entry provides more details, and additional information is easily available through cross references to related entries such as "Doublet," "Fabric," "Gloves," "Hat," "Jewelry," "Ruff," and "Tawdry Lace." Recommended for all libraries.
Shana C. Fair, Ohio Univ. Lib., Zanesville
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Olsen has done the reference world a service by compiling a crackerjack guide to the Elizabethan milieu. In 207 entries she covers topics such as astrology, courtship and marriage, clothing, music, medical treatment, household objects, occupations, and coins of the era, with references to their representation in the plays. Entries vary in length from a few sentences for Pomander and Windmill to 16 pages for Food. Employing an abbreviation system (H8 V.v.l 31-32 for Henry the Eighth, Act V, Scene 5, lines 31-2), Olsen compresses into small space a wealth of data.

Especially useful to students are lists such as 77 insults and their sources and meanings and a similar survey of 50 birds, 34 units of measure, and 18 types of coins. A generous assortment of line drawings and woodcuts illustrating, for example, a crossbow and arrows, bloodhound, sea monster, and coins, particularize references. A 12-page entry on place-names points out 200 European settings for Shakespeare's plays. Back matter provides a trove of information for the teacher, historian, or dramaturge, beginning with a chronology of historical events referred to in the plays. Following a bibliography separated by topic, the work concludes with a 47-page index covering such minutia as garters, harquebusier, marzipan, and typeface.

The handbook has a few weaknesses. For example, there is no commentary related to the setting of The Tempest in Bermuda. Some illustrations lack detailed captioning and dates of sources, and too many name no source. Despite these omissions, students, teachers, librarians, actors, and readers will have little difficulty navigating the text to explain tidbits from Shakespeare's writings. Recommended for high-school, public, and undergraduate libraries. RBB
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 832 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press (October 30, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313315035
• ISBN-13: 978-0313315039
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,819,871 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference!, March 6, 2004

By 

Doug Bowman (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: All Things Shakespeare: An Encyclopedia of Shakespeare's World [Two Volumes] (Hardcover)

All lovers of Shakespeare and related topics will be glad to have this reference. It is a great resource for the teacher and performer, as well as the hobbiest.

If you want to have fun exploring Shakespeare and his times, this book has it. My favorite part is the insult section.

Don't be a mealy eyed canker blossom. Check out this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars a complete encyclopedia indeed!, January 30, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: All Things Shakespeare: An Encyclopedia of Shakespeare's World [Two Volumes] (Hardcover)

A must for any student of Shakespeare. The previous reviewer has obviously NOT read the book.