CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Sonnets


Book Description

Numbering more than 150, Shakespeare's sonnets have contributed significantly to discussions of the elusive character of the Bard. While most of the poems are addressed to a young man, others invoke the renowned Dark Lady. Each sonnet is interpreted, focusing on language particular to the poem, as well as on how the sonnet form furthers meaning. In addition, Shakespeare's major themes of love and beauty; mutability; and time and immortality are explored.







A Midsummer Night's Dream


Book Description

NA




CliffsComplete on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew


Book Description

In the CliffsComplete guides, the play's complete text and a glossary appear side-by-side with coordinating numbered lines to help you understand unusual words and phrasing. You'll also find all the commentary and resources of a standard CliffsNotes for Literature. CliffsComplete The Taming of the Shrew is one of Shakespeare's most beloved, and imitated, works. In this play within a play, Petruchio, the man from Verona, marries Kate (the shrew of the story), so that Kate's younger sister Bianca may be allowed to take on several suitors and choose one to marry. Discover what happens to Petruchio and Kate — and save valuable studying time — all at once. Enhance your reading of The Taming of the Shrew with these additional features: A summary and insightful commentary for each act Bibliography and historical background on the author, William Shakespeare A look at the historical context and structure of the play Discussions on the plays symbols and themes A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Review questions, a quiz, discussion topics (essay questions), activity ideas A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Streamline your literature study with all-in-one help from CliffsComplete guides!




CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Julius Caesar


Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer summaries and expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on Julius Caesar, you follow the dramatic political battles of Rome during the height of the Pax Romanum. Shakespeare pits Caesar against an untold number of conspirators and lets the daggers fly. In the end, who will carry on the rule of the Caesars? This user-friendly guide makes studying a snap—with visual icons flagging key themes, literary devices, and more. You'll come to understand the overall structure of the play, actions and motivations of the characters, and the social and cultural perspectives of the author. Features that help you study include Shakespeare's background and career highlights Scene-by-scene summaries Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays A review section that tests your knowledge Glossaries of key words and terms Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.







CliffsNotes on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream


Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer a look into critical elements and ideas within classic works of literature. In CliffsNotes on A Midsummer Night's Dream, you dig into Shakespeare's entertaining story of young lovers as they're toyed with by mischievous forest sprites. Shakespeare claimed to have written this romantic comedy to show that "love hath no law but its own." This study guide follows the action from scene to scene with commentaries that bring sense to the entertaining play, which is neither realistic nor tragic. Other features that help you figure out this important work include Life and background of the author Introduction to and synopsis of the play Analyses of all the characters and a character map Summaries of each of the five acts A review section that tests your knowledge and suggests essay topics Classic literature or modern-day treasure — you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.




CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet


Book Description

The original CliffsNotes study guides offer expert commentary on major themes, plots, characters, literary devices, and historical background. The latest generation of titles in this series also feature glossaries and visual elements that complement the classic, familiar format. In CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, you explore Shakespeare's greatest tragedy—the heartbreaking love story of Romeo and Juliet amid the conflict between their two feuding families, the Montagues and the Capulets. This study guide carefully walks you through every twist and turn of Shakespeare's classic by providing chapter summaries and critical analyses of each act and scene of the play. You'll also explore the life and background of the "Bard" himself—William Shakespeare. Other features that help you study include Character analyses of major players A character map that graphically illustrates the relationships among the characters Critical essays The history of the play's development, as well as its first performance A review section that tests your knowledge A Resource Center full of books, articles, films, and Internet sites Classic literature or modern-day treasure—you'll understand it all with expert information and insight from CliffsNotes study guides.




As You Like it


Book Description




CliffsNotes on Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing


Book Description

One of Shakespeare's romantic comedies, this play is set in the seaport town of Messina, in Sicily. The drama concerns "the battle of the sexes" and focuses on the barbed wits and intrigues that two sets of lovers and their friends and family create. Brimming with wit and antagonism, the play has amused and provoked audiences for centuries.