Synopses & Reviews
Written in a straightforward, engaging style, Simply Shakespeare actively engages the reader in understanding and appreciating Shakespeare's language and intricate stagecraft. Accessible writing style neither talks down to readers nor over their heads. Introduction: "How to Read Shakespeare" outlines strategies readers can adopt to make Shakespeare easier to understand. Four chapters on language focus on the single greatest hurdle for readers: language. The chapters deal with words, imagery (literal and figurative), rhetoric, and humor. Boxed material highlights major points in any topic discussed. Test Cases analyze key passages in depth. Bulleted lists break up heavy prose passages allowing readers to concentrate on key material, making content more accessible. A Resources Section provides an annotated list of websites and books-emphasizing the best resources and latest scholarship. Glossary covers 30 Shakespearean terms most readers have trouble with. For those interested in gaining a clear understanding of Shakespeare and his art.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
Table of Contents
Preface.
Introduction: How to Read Shakespeare.
Box: Chapter Overview.
Making an Effort.
Using Your Imagination.
Imagining the World.
Imagining the Stage.
Staying Flexible.
Listening for the Subtext.
Writing or Discussion Assignments.
Further Reading.
1. Shakespeare's Dramatic Language.
Box: Chapter Overview.
Some Preliminary Suggestions.
Test Case #1: Hamlet's Famous Soliloquy.
Initial Reactions.
Shakespeare's Peculiar Language.
“You" and “Thou”.
“Hath" and “Doth”.
Some Other Shakespearean Oddities.
Advice.
Rearranging Word Order.
Advice.
Verse and Prose.
Writing or Discussion Assignments.
Further Reading.
2. Shakespeare's Imagery.
Box: Chapter Overview.
A Definition of Imagery.
Literal Appeals to the Senses.
Appeal to the Sense of Sight.
Appeal to the Sense of Hearing.
Appeal to the Sense of Touch.
Appeal to the Sense of Taste.
Appeal to the Sense of Smell.
Figurative