Unravel the history, themes, and language of Shakespeare's plays, poems, and sonnets with this beautifully illustrated guide to his life and works.

Comedy and romance, history, and tragedy, Shakespeare's canon has it all. Some 400 years after they were written and first performed, his works still remain fresh and relevant today.

Discover the work of the world's most celebrated playwright with:

- A clear and accessible format
- Act-by-act plot summaries of all of his 39 plays with lists of characters
- Guidance on how to read and interpret his great sonnets and narrative poems
- Plays ordered by time and genre, helping readers to trace the development of Shakespeare's topics, themes, and artistry
- Sidebars that clarify the mythological, geographical, and historical context of each play and decode its language, dramatic action, and themes

Shakespeare fans will revel in the marvellous depiction of the Stratford-upon-Avon-born Bard himself! His drama book allows you to dive into famous works like Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Nights Dreams and explore Shakespeare's sources and inspirations for each! Themes, plots, characters, and language are brought to life with act-by-act plot summaries, resumes of main characters, and in-depth analysis of Shakespeare's use of the English language.

Shakespeare: His Life and Works is a wonderful exploration of plays, poems, and sonnets in the context of his life and the Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre further enriching your experience on, on the page, stage, or screen. It's the perfect gift for existing fans of Shakespeare, and anyone looking to find out more about the work of the world's most celebrated playwright.

"Should one attempt a complete front-to-back reading, the result would be a thorough grounding in Shakespeare's work and an enlarged astonishment at the range of his imagination." (Previous Edition, 2004) * The New York Times *

Leslie Dunton-Downer is a writer and former lecturer at Harvard University. Alan Riding is a former European arts correspondent of The New York Times and author of several books.