Shakespeare

* Second edition of this highly innovative introduction to the extraordinary phenomenon of Shakespeare. * Offers readers insights into what makes Shakespeare great, and why we still read and perform his works. What makes Shakespeare great? Why do we still read and perform his works? In this deft and witty introduction, David Bevington argues that Shakespeare continues to live among us today because his representations of the human condition are believable, endearing, and touchingly human. The book is structured around Shakespeare's immortalizing of the arc of human life from infancy and childhood to adulthood, advancing age, and eventual death, as set out by Jaques in the 'Seven Ages of Man' speech from As You Like It. For this extended second edition, the author has added more material on fathers and sons, the perils of courtship, the circumstances of Shakespeare's own life, the performance history of his plays on stage and on screen, his delicate representation of gender relations, and more. In a new final chapter on Shakespeare Today, he looks at the remarkable diversity of interpretations in modern criticism and performance of Shakespeare as a key to his 'infinite variety', and his ability to adapt to a changing world. The extended second edition of this inspiring introduction to Shakespeare offers readers more insights into what makes Shakespeare great, and why we still read and perform his works. A highly innovative introduction to the extraordinary phenomenon of Shakespeare Explores Shakespeares works through the "Seven Ages of Man", from childhood to "second childishness and mere oblivion" Now includes more material on fathers and sons, the perils of courtship, the circumstances of Shakespeares own life, the performance history of his plays on stage and on screen, and more A new final chapter on "Shakespeare Today" looks at the remarkable diversity of interpretations in modern criticism and performance of Shakespeare Discusses a wide range of plays and poems Suitable for both non-specialist readers, and scholars seeking a fresh approach to the study of Shakespeare