MAGILL'S CHOICE: SHAKESPEARE compiles a wide range of essays on the life & works of the most famous English playwright of all time, William Shakespeare (1564-1616). The essays in this single affordable volume compile the essentials for any person interested in Shakespeare, whether a student approaching his work for the first time or a habitual theatergoer about to witness a new production of one of the plays. These essays have appeared over the years in multiple Salem Press/Magill reference publications, including CRITICAL SURVEY OF DRAMA: ENGLISH LANGUAGE SERIES (Revised Edition, 1992), GREAT LIVES FROM HISTORY: BRITISH & COMMONWEALTH SERIES (1987), MASTER PLOTS II: POETRY SERIES (1992), & MASTERPLOTS: REVISED SECOND EDITION (1996). In addition, four of the essays have been written expressly for this volume. The volume is divided into three parts: "Biography," "The Plays," "The Poetry." Several aids to study appear at the front of the volume: Three listings of Shakespeare's works--an "Alphabetical List of Works," a "Categorised List of Works" & a "Chronological List of Works"--appear after the introduction. Appendices include a thirty-thousand word "Bibliography." Finally readers will find a "Character Index," a "Quotation Index" & a "Subject Index" at the end of the volume.