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William Shakespeare: A Very Short Introduction
William Shakespeare: A Very Short Introduction | Stanley Wells
4 posts | 5 read | 1 to read
In this new offering from Stanley Wells, the pre-eminent Shakespearian scholar, comes a Very Short Introduction to the life and writings of the world's greatest and best-known dramatists: William Shakespeare. Looking at his early life and education, Wells explores Shakespeare's social and intellectual background and the literary traditions on which Shakespeare drew. Examining the theatres and theatrical profession of the time, he also considers how Shakespeare experienced this world, both as an actor and as a writer. Examining Shakespeare's narrative poems, sonnets, and all of his plays, Wells outlines their sources, style, and originality over the course of Shakespeare's career, to consider the fundamental impact his work has had for subsequent generations. Written with enthusiasm and flair by a scholar who has devoted a lifetime to the study of Shakespeare and his works, this is an engaging and authoritative introduction. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
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review
rwmg
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Mehso-so

After a quick run down through the life (which we don't know much about (but more than I thought)), the author looks at Elizabethan theatre and the poems, then takes us through WS's output, play by play. A short final chapter looks at WS's influence and reputation. The descriptions of the plays were too short to be useful unless you already knew the play. I think this could have been shortened and more time spent on the final chapter.

blurb
rwmg
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review
Argon
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this nice little intro to the study of Shakespeare. It has a biographical chapter and the rest focuses on his writings - mainly plays, but his sonnets are also discussed a little. I think it would be helpful to be familiar with his famous plays (Hamlet, King Lear, Macbeth, Othello), general plots and characters. But it was interesting and I learned new things about Shakespeare and some of his works 🎭
8.5/10

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Emilymdxn
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Mehso-so

I read this quickly as part of preparing for an intro to Shakespeare class I‘m teaching as a weekend side hustle. I can see why it would work for a complete beginner, with eloquent concise summaries of most of the plays including some obscure ones. But I found myself rolling my eyes a lot at very definitive statements about what Shakespeare meant or wanted with particular decisions like… what‘s your source on that mate.

54 likes1 comment