Shakespeare: The Basics

'Shakespeare: The Basics' aims to demystify Shakespeare's plays for the beginning reader by providing a thorough general introduction to this sometimes intimidating playwright. Concentrating on language, genre and history, McEvoy discusses the plays both in the light of contemporary thought and also in their historical context. He explores such diverse themes as social justice, the oppression or liberation of women and the idea of writing history, offering up a refreshingly clear guide to the Bard.