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.

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• A highly innovative introduction to the extraordinary phenomenon of Shakespeare
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• Explores Shakespeares works through the "Seven Ages of Man", from childhood to "second childishness and mere oblivion"
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• 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
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• A new final chapter on "Shakespeare Today" looks at the remarkable diversity of interpretations in modern criticism and performance of Shakespeare
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• Discusses a wide range of plays and poems
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• Suitable for both non-specialist readers, and scholars seeking a fresh approach to the study of Shakespeare

• Contents 8
• List of Illustrations 10
• To the Reader 11
• 1 All the World’s a Stage: Poetry and Theatre 14
• 2 Creeping Like Snail: Childhood, Education, Early Friendship, Sibling Rivalries 42
• 3 Sighing Like Furnace: Courtship and Sexual Desire 70
• 4 Full of Strange Oaths and Bearded Like the Pard: The Coming-of-Age of the Male 93
• 5 Jealous in Honour: Love and Friendship in Crisis 115
• 6 Wise Saws: Political and Social Disillusionment, Humankind’s Relationship to the Divine, and Philosophical Scepticism 142
• 7 Modern Instances: Misogyny, Jealousy, Pessimism, and Midlife Crisis 173
• 8 The Lean and Slippered Pantaloon: Ageing Fathers and their Daughters 203
• 9 Last Scene of All: Retirement from the Theatre 225
• 10 Shakespeare Today 248
• Notes 261
• Further Reading 267