Sean McEvoy

McEvoy provides an up-to-date introduction to Shakespeare. He covers all of the basics, even explaining how to find a line citation. Part 1 concentrates on the text and covers Shakespeare's language, stage action in the 16th century, and the plays as performance pieces. Part 2 covers five play genres, including romance and mixed-genre plays. McEvoy clearly identifies his critical approach as new historicism and cultural materialism influenced by feminist ideas. Yet he does not exclude traditional, psychoanalytical, or performance study approaches from his discussion, emphasising that there is more than one way to study and enjoy Shakespeare's works. The book effectively summarises the current status of Shakespeare masterpieces, meets McEvoy's goal of preparing students for college-level courses, and covers more ground than Shakespeare for Dummies. Suggestions for additional study are included. I feel sure that reading McEvoy's ' Basics' will add to the enjoyment that can be derived from watching or reading Shakespeare's plays.

This is a strong, systematic, and ideologically unbiased introduction to Shakespeare, bound to deepen any reader's appreciation for the great playwright, and particularly suited to prepare students for a deeper reading of Elizabethan drama.… (altro)