Shakespeare A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More [Paperback]

Charles Boyce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 10, 1991

What famous essayist insisted that Shakespeare's play were unfit for performance?

Which two plays center on the Hundred Years' War?

In which scene of Romeo and Juliet does the nurse report--falsely--that Juliet is dead and thus seal Romeo's tragic fate?

The answers are easily found in Shakespeare A to Z, the only single-volume reference to virtually everything one needs--or wants--to know about the Bard.  Wonderfully informative, this comprehensive work includes 3,000 entries and 50 illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

YA-- This massive and fascinating volume of Shakespeareana is unquestionably a classic compendium of information on the Bard of Avon. Here are synopses of all of Shakespeare's plays by act and scene; sketches of all of his characters, as well as the historic personages on whom some of them were based; biographies of his contemporaries in the Elizabethan theater; portraits of many of the actors who achieved fame in his plays; and mentions of many modern theatrical works that have been influenced by him. One can also find definitions of literary and theatrical terms relevant to his work, along with descriptions of the places that figured so prominently in Shakespeare's plays. The book is truly a treasure trove of information for students of Shakespeare, of English literature, and of Elizabethan and modern theater.
-Richard Lisker, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

This work invites comparison with the Reader's Encyclopedia of Shakespeare (1966). Both provide remarkable levels of detail on virtually any aspect of Shakespeare's life and art. The Reader's Encyclopedia, however, is now nearly a quarter of a century old; it does not, for example, include entries for Branagh's 1989 film of Henry V or Joseph Papp, the noted producer, both included here. But it is much broader in scope, including bibliographies as well as articles on such figures as Stendahl (author of a book on Shakespeare). More comprehensive, it may still be the best book on the subject, but it is now out of print. Boyce's work is well done and much more current, and it includes many unique entries. It will be a useful complement for libraries owning the Reader's Encyclopedia and a fine addition for those that don't. -- Peter Dollard, Alma Coll. Lib., Mich.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 752 pages
• Publisher: Delta (November 10, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385313616
• ISBN-13: 978-0385313612
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 1.5 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #83,323 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Silent Companion and a Private Tutor, May 31, 2000

By 

Loren D. Morrison "amateur_reviewer" (Los Angeles County, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shakespeare A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More (Paperback)

I am neither a student nor a professional academic, and I don't usually review reference works. SHAKESPEARE A TO Z, however, is much more to me than a "mere" reference book. It has become a silent companion and a private tutor. Before attending a play by Shakespeare or an opera based on his works, I read (or reread) the synopsis of the work in question in SHAKESPEARE A TO Z.

Early seventeenth century English. as it is spoken, is occasionally a mystery to the twentieth century American, and opera, often sung in Italian, can be even more of a mystery. Further confusion can come in an opera, if one isn't familiar enough with the plot to know whether the young soprano dressed in male clothing and playing the part of a male is: a.) a female deliberately cast in the role of a young male, or b.) a female playing the part of a female disguised as a male. If I've "done my homework" and consulted SHAKESPEARE A TO Z before attending the play or opera, I have no problem following the plot regardless of language or gender of the performer.

As an aside, I wonder if it was more, or less, confusing in Shakespeare's time when all roles were played by males. Under those conditions you would have been treated to the spectacle of a male actor portraying a female disguised as a male. Phew!

If I have taken the time to delve further into this wonderful reference, I have a good chance of also understanding the historical context of the play and the motivations of the various characters. Shakespeare is sometimes subtle and frequently devious. Knowledge of background and motivation helps to better understand what is happening.

Some contemporary directors add additional confusion by using deliberate ploys such as having the same actor play multiple roles. If I've prepared properly, I am not confused.

While I personally use this reference mainly to enhance my enjoyment, I am absolutely convinced that it is a valuable source of information for students and an even more valuable instructional tool for teachers. When I was in high school, many long years ago, I didn't enjoy Shakespeare very much, mostly because I didn't totally comprehend what I was reading or seeing. Had I had access to SHAKESPEARE A TO Z, accompanied by a little properly applied pressure to consult it, who knows, I might have come around to enjoying his works much earlier in my life.

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Shakespeare students' best friend!, November 14, 2001

By 

LaurenAnn (NJ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shakespeare A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More (Paperback)

I'm a Shakespeare major, and my shelves are bowing under the weight of all my Shakespeare books. SHAKESPEARE A TO Z is the book I reach for most often, whenever I've got questions about the plays.

This book truly is the essential reference, but it is much more than a typical reference book. It's readable, interesting, and thorough. Inside, you'll find passages on every single one of Shakespeare's characters, no matter how minor; detailed analysis, as well as an act-by-act plot summary, on EVERY play; information on locations used in the plays, and MUCH more. Virtually every topic/character/place/important thing in a play is covered in this book.

I recommend this book for anyone who is interested in Shakespeare's plays, or is involved in the study of Shakespeare. This book not only serves as an accesssible reference, it's also full of thought-provoking facts and ideas.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterly overview of Shakespearen lore., September 5, 1999

By 

Charles J Caes (Warrenton, Va. USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shakespeare A to Z: The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times, and More (Paperback)

Boyce has done an excellent job in bringing together pertinent facts on the life, times, works, family and friends of Shakespeare. He gives synposes of the plays by acts and scenes, explanations of the sources for the plays, and profiles of Shakespeare's characters, including the minor ones. Students of history will also enjoy many of the background pieces such as those on the town of Towton (a battle site of the Wars of the Roses and a setting in Henry VI),and the short biographical sketches of Shakespeare's parents, his son and daughters, as well as Shakespeare himself. Readers will get much more than they expect from the pages of this highly entertaining and informative work.