Review (PDF) The Bedford Companion To Shakespeare: An Introduction With Documents
Providing a unique combination of well-written, up-to-date background information and intriguing selections from primary documents, The Bedford Companion to Shakespeare introduces students to the topics most important to the study of Shakespeare in their full historical and cultural context.
Paperback: 451 pages
Publisher: Bedford/St. Martin's; 2 edition (February 20, 2001)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312248806
ISBN-13: 978-0312248802
Product Dimensions: 6.1 x 0.7 x 9.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #175,090 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #96 in Books > Literature & Fiction > History & Criticism > Genres & Styles > Drama #121 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish > Shakespeare > Literary Criticism #136 in Books > Literature & Fiction > British & Irish > Literature
Russ McDonald is not someone many people have heard of, unless you happen to live in the world of Shakespeare scholars, in which case, I would be surprised if you have not. Mr. McDonald was for a long time associated with the Folger Library, and has edited numerous volumes of the Penguin Shakespeare editions, among other credentials. I have had the good fortune to be in one of his classes, and I can think of no one else I have ever met that has so much love and appreciation for Shakespeare's genius, while simultaneously being able to pass that to his students. I honestly don't think there is anything this man *doesn't* know about Shakespeare.That being said, The Bedford Companion is less about The Bard, and more so about the times in which he lived. While attention is given to his plays, equal attention is given to such things as the history of the Globe Theater, Shakespeare's early life, the economic situations of the time, and a history of Shakespeare appreciation, or "Bardolatry". It shows Shakespeare as a human, as a buisinessman, a family man, and how he eventually become know as the greatest writer in the English language. (Most of his plays weren't published until after his death.) This book may not help you fully understand Hamlet, but it can certainly make it more interesting.
The original documents pertaining to Shakeseare's life and works is an excellent teacher resource. The text of his will, excerpts of newspaper accounts that sparked The Tempest and the DeWitt drawing of the Globe made our studies of Shakesperae more concrete.As a loyal fan of Shakespeare, I enjoyed the reading. I think the text is a little dry for most.
This book is a great overview of all things Shakespeare. It intorduces the man himself, the language of the works, the culture of the Elizabethans and the theatre, sosurces, and basic scholarly criticism and ideas. A wonderful foundational text with primary documents which greatly enhance the reading and give the subject a new life.
Bedford's handbook is quite handy for a non-expert. Anyone who's going to be teaching Shakespeare but hasn't written a dissertation on him ought to pick one up.
I really enjoy Shakespearean works so having a companion book to some of the well known works was definitely helpful. If you like Shakespeare but sometimes have a hard time understanding it, this book isn't a bad companion to choose
An academic approach to Shakespeare, his life, his works and Elizabethan life in general. And it contains one of the best arguments I’ve seen debunking the conspiracy theorists who refuse to believe that Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare. For many reasons an indispensable book. If you go to my blog at richnovotney.com I can recommend a bunch of other Shakespeare-related books, all available at .
Its been almost 13 years since I had the pleasure of enjoying Russ McDonald's insight on Shakespeare first hand and it was a pleasure re-engaging with his wit and insight again via this text.
I bought this as a textbook for a class, but there's such a wonderful amount of information in is book. I think it's a fascinating read and a definite must for all lovers of Shakespeare.
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