The Meaning of Shakespeare, Volume 1
9780226300412
9780226300382
The Meaning of Shakespeare, Volume 1
A classic, accessible guide to the plays of Shakespeare by a legendary teacher and scholar
Centuries after they were originally performed, the plays of Shakespeare continue to inspire, entertain, and awe audiences and readers today. At the same time, however, there’s no question that even the most sophisticated reader can sometimes benefit from the insight and guidance of an expert when entering Shakespeare’s long-gone world and complicated figurative language.
Centuries after they were originally performed, the plays of Shakespeare continue to inspire, entertain, and awe audiences and readers today. At the same time, however, there’s no question that even the most sophisticated reader can sometimes benefit from the insight and guidance of an expert when entering Shakespeare’s long-gone world and complicated figurative language.
William Goddard is here to help. He taught Shakespeare for decades as much-loved professor at Swarthmore College, and here he distills that experience into an accessible, engaging companion to the plays. Across two volumes, Goddard covers all of Shakespeare’s plays and brings fresh insight to familiar characters, scenes, and verses. Goddard writes, "The greatest poetry has always depicted the world as a little citadel of nobility threatened by an immense barbarism, a flickering candle surrounded by infinite night" Shakespeare’s candle still burns, and with Goddard’s help we can all see it brighter than ever.
“I believe we are nearer the beginning than the end of our understanding of Shakespeare’s genius . . . ”
Table of Contents
I.CADWAL AND POLYDORE
II.THE INTEGRITY OF SHAKESPEARE
III.THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
IV.THE THREE PARTS OF HENRY V1
V.TITUS ANDRONICUS
VI.RICHARD III
VII.THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
VIII.LOVE’S LABOURS’ LOST
IX.THE POET-PLAYWRIGHT
X.THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
XI.A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM
XII.THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
XIII.ROMEO AND JULIET
XIV.KING JOHN
XV.RICAHRD II
XVI.HENRY IV, Part I; HENRY IV, Part II (The Merry Wives of
Windsor)
XVII.HENRY V
XVIII.HENRY VIII
XIX.MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
XX.AS YOU LIKE IT
XXI.TWELFTH NIGHT
XXII.JULIUS CAESAR
XXIII.HAMLET
INDEX
II.THE INTEGRITY OF SHAKESPEARE
III.THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
IV.THE THREE PARTS OF HENRY V1
V.TITUS ANDRONICUS
VI.RICHARD III
VII.THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA
VIII.LOVE’S LABOURS’ LOST
IX.THE POET-PLAYWRIGHT
X.THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
XI.A MIDSUMMER-NIGHT’S DREAM
XII.THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
XIII.ROMEO AND JULIET
XIV.KING JOHN
XV.RICAHRD II
XVI.HENRY IV, Part I; HENRY IV, Part II (The Merry Wives of
Windsor)
XVII.HENRY V
XVIII.HENRY VIII
XIX.MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
XX.AS YOU LIKE IT
XXI.TWELFTH NIGHT
XXII.JULIUS CAESAR
XXIII.HAMLET
INDEX