A Dictionary of Quotations from Shakespeare: A Topical Guide to Over 3,000 Great Passages from the Plays, Sonnets, and Narrative Poems [Paperback]

Margaret Miner (Editor), Hugh Rawson (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1996

A comprehensive, easy-to-use, and thoroughly enjoyable collection of timeless poetry, proverbs, and sayings from the most quotable author in literary history. Over 3,000 quotations are arranged into over 400 topics, and many entries include information on context, Elizabethan language, Shakespeare's sources, and historical illusions. Extensive cross-referencing; key-word index.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The focus of this entertaining dictionary, the authors say, is on "quotations that are likely to be of practical use for writers and speakers today . . . and relevant to modern times and present-day problems." Consequently, among the 400 categories are such headings as democracy, media, public relations, and Star Wars. Nearly half the quotations are annotated, with useful information about meaning and context, but the authors at times spoil it by giving vent to their own irrelevant opinions. They seem determined to demythologize the English victory at Agincourt described in Henry V ; their comment, "Lines that some in England might find applicable today" is a silly gloss on "This England that was wont to conquer others,/ Hath made a shameful conquest of itself." For public libraries.
- Bryan Aubrey, Fairfield, Ia.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 382 pages
• Publisher: Plume (September 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0452011272
• ISBN-13: 978-0452011274
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,194,119 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in April 1564, and his birth is traditionally celebrated on April 23. The facts of his life, known from surviving documents, are sparse. He was one of eight children born to John Shakespeare, a merchant of some standing in his community. William probably went to the King's New School in Stratford, but he had no university education. In November 1582, at the age of eighteen, he married Anne Hathaway, eight years his senior, who was pregnant with their first child, Susanna. She was born on May 26, 1583. Twins, a boy, Hamnet ( who would die at age eleven), and a girl, Judith, were born in 1585. By 1592 Shakespeare had gone to London working as an actor and already known as a playwright. A rival dramatist, Robert Greene, referred to him as "an upstart crow, beautified with our feathers." Shakespeare became a principal shareholder and playwright of the successful acting troupe, the Lord Chamberlain's Men (later under James I, called the King's Men). In 1599 the Lord Chamberlain's Men built and occupied the Globe Theater in Southwark near the Thames River. Here many of Shakespeare's plays were performed by the most famous actors of his time, including Richard Burbage, Will Kempe, and Robert Armin. In addition to his 37 plays, Shakespeare had a hand in others, including Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen, and he wrote poems, including Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece. His 154 sonnets were published, probably without his authorization, in 1609. In 1611 or 1612 he gave up his lodgings in London and devoted more and more time to retirement in Stratford, though he continued writing such plays as The Tempest and Henry VII until about 1613. He died on April 23 1616, and was buried in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford. No collected edition of his plays was published during his life-time, but in 1623 two members of his acting company, John Heminges and Henry Condell, put together the great collection now called the First Folio.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shakespearean Wisdom Fit For Our New Age, March 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: A Dictionary of Quotations from Shakespeare: A Topical Guide to Over 3,000 Great Passages from the Plays, Sonnets, and Narrative Poems (Paperback)

This is a fun read for all who would like to include the wit and wisdom of Shakespeare in their daily communications. The alphabetical topics include such topics as lateness, wisdom, family, and happiness. Additional specific topics cover Principals, such as Hamlet and MacBeth. When searching for the right phrase, one has only to look up a subject and there are multiple examples of Shakespearean wisdom from which to choose. The book is equally fun to just read page after page. This is a good add-on for those who studied Shakespeare and now wish to refresh their knowledge on the subject.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical Guide to Shakespeare Quotations, September 24, 2001

By 

Margaret P Harvey (Charlottesville, Va United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Dictionary of Quotations from Shakespeare: A Topical Guide to Over 3,000 Great Passages from the Plays, Sonnets, and Narrative Poems (Paperback)

All you would expect, this book does just what it says it will--- it is a guide to quotations from Shakespeare. The book is set up alphabetically by subject and it includes many topics from fatness to jealousy. While you would probably need at least a cursory understanding of some plays to use the quotations properly, the author does a nice job of making comments and synopses when necessary. This book is very easy to use. I recommend it to anyone who is an avid reader of Shakespeare, or a student of English literature and would like to look up his wonderful musings (in characters and in his own sonnets) on everyday subjects.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well organized and helpful!, December 27, 2002

By 

MJN76 "mjn76" (Chicago, IL, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Dictionary of Quotations from Shakespeare: A Topical Guide to Over 3,000 Great Passages from the Plays, Sonnets, and Narrative Poems (Paperback)

From Action to Youth, "A Dictionary of Quotations" is a very accessible and easy to use book with over 3,000 Shakespeare quotes on over 400 subjects. Each section is printed in bold making it easy to flip through the pages to find a favorite passage. The exhaustive index is also helpful. Recommended for English majors or anyone who enjoys literature!