An authoritative, accessible overview of history′s greatest literary figure


The great dramatist Ben Jonson wrote that William Shakespeare "was not of an age, but for all time." In the nearly four centuries since his death, Shakespeare′s plays still have a tremendous impact on everything from the classroom to popular culture. Now you can have at your fingertips all the vital details on the most influential writer in the history of the English language––straight from one of the most trusted sources of information in the world.

In Shakespeare, Encyclopaedia Britannica presents a concise and balanced overview of the Bard′s life, work, and legacy. From his upbringing in Stratford to his early theater career in London, from his poetry and plays to the controversy surrounding his authorship, from his contemporaries and collaborators to his critics past and present, this comprehensive guide provides the necessary background to appreciate Shakespeare′s unique place in world literature.

This informative volume also looks at new interpretive approaches to Shakespeare and his work and offers insights from the foremost Shakespeare scholars in the world, including David Bevington (University of Chicago), Stephen J. Greenblatt (Harvard University), and Gail Kern Paster (Folger Shakespeare Library), among others. Every concise entry––from All′s Well That Ends Well to The Winter′s Tale––promotes a deeper understanding of Shakespeare′s life, times, writings, and influence that only Encyclopaedia Britannica can provide.

Since 1768, Encyclopaedia Britannica has been a leading provider of learning products and one of the world′s most trusted sources of information.