Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare
Encyclopedia
Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare, by Isaac Asimov
, vols I and II (1970), ISBN 0-517-26825-6; Maps by the artist Rafael Palacios
.
This work gives a short guide to every Shakespeare play, and also his two epic poems. Asimov organizes the plays as follows:
The last two categories are treated broadly; 'Italian' applies to neighbouring countries, and both Hamlet
and Macbeth
are listed with 'The English Plays'. Asimov gives a detailed justification for doing this.
Within each category, the plays are arranged chronologically, making allowance for the several not based on actual events. Asimov notes how much is real history, and describes who the original people were, where applicable. He traces those characters who appear in more than one play, and provides maps to explain key geographical elements.
Asimov's approach is not popular with some readers' prejudices:
However, the book remains popular and useful, and the paperback edition remains in print.
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 father, Judah Asimov.
Isaac Asimov
Isaac Asimov was an American author and professor of biochemistry at Boston University, best known for his works of science fiction and for his popular science books. Asimov was one of the most prolific writers of all time, having written or edited more than 500 books and an estimated 90,000...
, vols I and II (1970), ISBN 0-517-26825-6; Maps by the artist Rafael Palacios
Rafael Palacios (artist)
Rafael D. Palacios was a prolific and highly successful free-lance artist and illustrator specializing in book jackets and maps for major U.S. publishers in the mid- and late 20th century...
.
This work gives a short guide to every Shakespeare play, and also his two epic poems. Asimov organizes the plays as follows:
- Greek
- Roman
- Italian
- The English Plays
The last two categories are treated broadly; 'Italian' applies to neighbouring countries, and both Hamlet
Hamlet
The Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
and Macbeth
Macbeth
The Tragedy of Macbeth is a play by William Shakespeare about a regicide and its aftermath. It is Shakespeare's shortest tragedy and is believed to have been written sometime between 1603 and 1607...
are listed with 'The English Plays'. Asimov gives a detailed justification for doing this.
Within each category, the plays are arranged chronologically, making allowance for the several not based on actual events. Asimov notes how much is real history, and describes who the original people were, where applicable. He traces those characters who appear in more than one play, and provides maps to explain key geographical elements.
Asimov's approach is not popular with some readers' prejudices:
- "Fans of Asimov's science-fiction generally have little taste for door-stopper books such as Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare or The Shaping of England, and specialists are never happy to see clever outsiders make hay in their fields." (The Tragedy of Isaac Asimov)
However, the book remains popular and useful, and the paperback edition remains in print.
Publication data
Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare, vols I and II (1970), ISBN 0-517-26825-6. 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 father, Judah Asimov.