The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare Studies (Cambridge Companions to Literature) [Paperback]

Stanley Wells (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521318416 | ISBN-13: 978-0521318419 | Publication Date: December 26, 1986

The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare Studies offers a comprehensive introduction to the study of Shakespeare in a series of essays specially written by an international team of eminent scholars. Studies of Shakespeare's life, and of his relationship to the thought of his time, are followed by essays connecting his writings to the literary, dramatic, and theatrical conventions of his age. There are accounts of the transmission of his text, and of the theatrical and critical fortunes of his plays from his own time to ours. Particular attention is given to the twentieth century in studies of criticism, theatre history, the plays on film and television, new critical approaches, and reference books. Each essay is followed by a reading list. A successor to Cambridge's original Companion to Shakespeare Studies (1934) and the New Companion to Shakespeare Studies (1971) this attractively written and helpfully organized volume will be an indispensable companion to anyone with a serious interest in Shakespeare.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'An excellent, informative compendium.' Times Literary Supplement

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (December 26, 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521318416
• ISBN-13: 978-0521318419
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,116 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Stanley Wells, described by Roy Hattersley as "Our greatest authority on Shakespeare's life and work," is Chairman of the Trustees of Shakespeare's Birthplace, Emeritus Professor of Shakespeare Studies of the University of Birmingham, and Honorary Emeritus Governor of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. He is the author and editor of many books including The Oxford Shakespeare: The Complete Works, 2nd Edition (OUP 2005); The Oxford Dictionary of Shakespeare (OUP, 2003); and Shakespeare in the Theatre (OUP, 1997).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A valuable overview or starting point, August 25, 2003

By 

faience (Murrells Inlet, SC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare Studies (Cambridge Companions to Literature) (Paperback)

It's a shame this nice single volume is out of print, although readers may actually prefer the topic-specific newer books that Cambridge is putting out. For an overview, or a starting point and guide to further research, it's excellent.

It's not an encyclopedic format, but a collection of essays by a variety of writers, on various study topics, each ending with a list of recommended further reading. Chapters are (I'll use "S" instead of writing out the word "Shakespeare" 17 times!):

The Life of S ... S and the Thought of His Age ... S the Non-Dramatic Poet ... S and the Arts of Language ... Playhouses and Players in the Time of S ... S and the Theatrical Conventions of His Time ... S and the Traditions of Comedy ... S and the Traditions of Tragedy ... S's use of History ... The Transmission of S's Text ... S on the Stage from 1660 to 1900 ... Critical Approaches to S from 1660-1904 ... Twentieth Century Shakespeare Criticism (This is broken down into 3 separate essays, one each on comedies, tragedies, and histories) ... S on the Twentieth Century Stage ... S on Film and Television ... S and new Critical Approaches ... Shakespeare Reference Books.

There is clearly a lot of material on performance, but plenty on other topics, as well. However, if you expect a discussion of authorship controversies you'll be largely disappointed. The various writers pretty much assume that the "Shakespeare canon" is by Shakespeare, but some disputed plays are discussed in the text-transmission chapter. And it has a very basic but good introduction to publication and ownership of plays in Elizabethan times.

The book is 328 pages total, well-indexed, and has some - but not a lot of - illustrations, mostly in the "performance" chapters. Definitely worth getting, for high school-to-college students, with the understanding that for most students, it will be a starting point.

5 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good bedtime read, June 22, 2000

By 

Maire (Britain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare Studies (Cambridge Companions to Literature) (Paperback)

Shakespeare is to be taken as seriously as possible and this book does. It can really help those studing Shakespeare at school. An ace way to get a headstart!