''Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare'' (1970) by

Isaac Asimov Isaac Asimov ( ; 1920 – April 6, 1992) was an American writer and professor of biochemistry at Boston University. During his lifetime, Asimov was considered one of the "Big Three" science fiction writers, along with Robert A. Heinlein and ...

is a two-volume guide to the works of the celebrated English writer

William Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

. The numerous maps were drafted by the artist Rafael Palacios.

Structure

The work gives a short guide to every

Shakespeare William Shakespeare ( 26 April 1564 – 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, poet and actor. He is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's natio ...

play, as well as two epic poems. Asimov organizes the plays not in the usual way – as

tragedies Tragedy (from the grc-gre, τραγῳδία, ''tragōidia'', ''tragōidia'') is a genre of drama based on human suffering and, mainly, the terrible or sorrowful events that befall a main character. Traditionally, the intention of tragedy ...

, comedies, and

histories Histories or, in Latin, Historiae may refer to: * the plural of history * ''Histories'' (Herodotus), by Herodotus * ''The Histories'', by Timaeus * ''The Histories'' (Polybius), by Polybius * ''Histories'' by Gaius Sallustius Crispus (Sallust), ...

– but regionally, as follows: * Greek * Roman * Italian * English The last two categories are treated broadly; 'Italian' applies to neighbouring countries, and both ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depi ...

'' and ''

Macbeth ''Macbeth'' (, full title ''The Tragedie of Macbeth'') is a tragedy by William Shakespeare. It is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those w ...

'' are listed with 'The English Plays'. Asimov gives a detailed justification for doing this. Within each category, the plays are arranged according to internal (historical) chronology, making allowance for the several not based on actual events. Asimov notes how much is real history, and describes who the historical people were, where applicable. He traces those characters who appear in more than one play, and provides maps to explain key geographical elements.

Reception

Asimov's approach is not popular with some readers' prejudices:

Publication data

''Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare'', vols I and II (1970), . Gramercy Books. Nearly 800 pages long plus an index, the work was originally published in two volumes; Greek, Roman and Italian in the first and 'The English Plays' in the second. Asimov dedicated the work to his late father, Judah Asimov.

Notes and references

Sources

* * {{William Shakespeare, state=collapsed 1970 non-fiction books Books by Isaac Asimov Doubleday (publisher) books American non-fiction books Works about William Shakespeare

Structure

Reception

Publication data

See also

Notes and references

Sources