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This book is centred on one hundred of Shakespeare’s greatest dramatic images – at least one taken from each of his plays. Although every image is essentially dramatic, presenting a picture which should be experienced both on the stage and in the mind, many can be enjoyed as short poems in their own right. They deal with the enduring subjects of poetry – love, loss, loveliness, folly, injustice – in voices which range from witty to tender, from indignant to resigned. Taken together they eloquently demonstrate why Shakespeare is generally considered to be not only the greatest dramatist, but also the greatest poet. The book is in two sections. In Section A the images are introduced to the reader through ‘Word-Play’ – ten short sub-sections which can be enjoyed individually or in a group. If the lines are spoken aloud several times (and they should be, since sound is often an integral part of meaning) readers will find themselves well on the way to appreciating some of Shakespeare’s richest poetry and prose. Section B, ‘Images in Context’, consists of 37 short essays. Here each image is placed within its dramatic context and serves as a window into the play from which it has been taken. Where appropriate, historical and theatrical perspectives as well as modern interpretations and controversies are explored. Aimed at ‘the great variety of readers’, the book is intended to be versatile. It can be dipped-into at random, taken a section at a time or read from start to finish as a short but original introduction to Shakespeare’s plays. Shakespeare's 100 Greatest Dramatic Images is available at all good bookstores or on line at www.paripublishing.com A selection of readers’ commentsI can think of no livelier introduction to Shakespeare and his work, and no greater indulgence for dedicated lovers of the plays. Claire and John Saunders lift up exquisite image after image, like morsels from a feast and, in doing so, uncover for us the world of each play - its tensions, its richness and, always, its elementally human concerns. Their short discussions are deft, elegant and highly readable. The word-games are witty and expert. Like the very best scholars, they wear their impressive knowledge lightly. Dabble, dip in or devour in a sitting. Shakespeare's 100 Greatest Dramatic Images is a rare treat. Alison Macleod, author of The Wave Theory of Angels and Fifteen Modern Tales of Attraction. Beautifully and accessibly written …an absolute delight …..had me enthralled for days ….attempts to do for Shakespeare what Lynne Truss did for Fowler. Captures the very best in Shakespeare’s language without repeating the well-worn. Fine achievement in sustaining such acute analyses over the entire ouevre. Close attention to language must be the best way into the plays. A teach yourself Shakespeare for grown ups….along the same lines as Lynne Truss’s Eats, Shoots and Leaves. Like punctuation, Shakespeare is one of those areas where many adults lack confidence. This would be invaluable for students who come to teacher training from non-literature-based degrees and have a fear of Shakespeare. Veronica Cutler, P.G.C.E Tutor in English at the University of Warwick. Very fresh, distinctive and full of insight. Congratulations on the ingenuity of many of the ‘distractors’. How I wish I’d had something like this when I started my English degree at Oxford. A marvellous enterprise. It’s just got to have a future. Am learning a lot from the commentaries. |