Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare, Volumes 1-2Shakespeare's genius is marked by his rare ability to appeal to theatergoers of all types and all levels of education. But for most modern folks, the Greek and Roman mythology and history, let alone the history of England and the geography of sixteenth-century Europe that his works are laden with, are hardly within our grasp. Isaac Asimov comes to making obscure issues clear to the layperson, selects key passages from 38 of the great bard's plays plus two of his narrative poems and, with the help of beautifully rendered maps an figures, illuminates us about their historical and mythological background. |
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Page 99
... hath a lady ... Ulysses does not go on to say that Patroclus imitates Ulysses as well , but one can easily imagine he does and that that is what really annoys the Ithacan . But further discussion is interrupted by a messenger who ...
... hath a lady ... Ulysses does not go on to say that Patroclus imitates Ulysses as well , but one can easily imagine he does and that that is what really annoys the Ithacan . But further discussion is interrupted by a messenger who ...
Page 511
... hath an argosy bound to Tripolis , another to the Indies ; I understand , moreover , upon the Rialto , he hath a third at Mexico , a fourth for England - and other ventures he hath , squand'red abroad . -Act I , scene iii , lines 17-21 ...
... hath an argosy bound to Tripolis , another to the Indies ; I understand , moreover , upon the Rialto , he hath a third at Mexico , a fourth for England - and other ventures he hath , squand'red abroad . -Act I , scene iii , lines 17-21 ...
Page 528
... hath disgraced me , and hind'red me half a mil- lion , laughed at my losses , mocked at my gains , scorned my nation , thwarted my bargains , cooled my friends , heated mine enemies - and what's his reason ? I am a Jew . Hath not a Jew ...
... hath disgraced me , and hind'red me half a mil- lion , laughed at my losses , mocked at my gains , scorned my nation , thwarted my bargains , cooled my friends , heated mine enemies - and what's his reason ? I am a Jew . Hath not a Jew ...
Common terms and phrases
Achilles Adonis Aeneas Agamemnon Ajax Antipholus Antony's Apollo Arcite army Asia Minor Athens audience Banquo battle brother Brutus called Cassius century Christian Claudius Cleopatra comes Coriolanus course courtly love Cymbeline daughter dead death defeated Demetrius Duke Emperor England English Ephesus father fight fool goddess gods Greece Greek myths Hamlet hath Hector Helena Henry Hercules Hermia hero Iago Iliad Italy Julius Caesar Jupiter killed King Lady later Lear legend lines Macbeth Marcius Mark Antony marriage married medieval miles moon mother night noble Oberon Octavius Caesar once Othello Palamon Pandarus play Plutarch Polonius Pompey Prince Puck Queen reference reign revenge Roman Rome Romeo says scene seems Sextus Shakespeare Shylock sister speak supposed sure tale tells thee Theseus thou throne Timon Titus Titus Andronicus Troilus and Cressida Trojan Trojan War Troy turn Ulysses Venice Venus victory wife word young