Shakespeare After All

As a fan of Shakespeare (both on the stage/screen and written page), I have added to my appreciation by reading various works about this playwright. First there was Asimov's Guide to Shakespeare, which was a well-written commentary on the historical contexts of the plays. Then, there was Harold Bloom's Shakespeare, The Invention of the Human, a scholarly work offset by a tone of high-toned intellectual snobbery and condescension. Now, there is Shakespeare After All, a work that fits between these two in quality. In Shakespeare After All, Marjorie Garber's 900+ page tome on the Bard's plays, we are given an opportunity to learn more of what makes Shakespeare Shakespeare. As a long-time Harvard and Yale lecturer on Shakespeare, Garber certainly has the credentials and experience to back up her extensive essays on the plays. If there is a problem with the book, it is only that she is perhaps too familiar with the plays and is unable to be truly critical of them. The book begins with a lengthy introduction which serves as a biography of Shakespeare and provides a bit of historical context for his body of work. Then we get a chapter on each of thirty-eight plays, including The Two Noble Kinsmen, which is not always included in Shakespeare collections. The plays are presented in rough chronological order and focus only secondarily on plot, with a greater emphasis on character and the use of language. Garber is a good writer, and each chapter is insightful. As this is written more as a collection of essays, there is not always perfect continuity between chapters and there is more than a little redundancy (which I suppose does make this easier to read this work in portions or out of order). As stated before, however, the principal flaw in her writing is that she refuses to say anything really critical about any of the plays. In Garber's view, Shakespeare batted 1.000, all hits and no misses. Henry VIII seems to be just as worthy of merit as Othello or Hamlet. Furthermore, there are no mistakes; any apparent contradictions or omissions are cleverly intended, not just an error. Certainly, Shakespeare is worth a lot of praise. When you consider what he did - writing over three dozen plays with an adeptness that is readily apparent - he is definitely deserving of the title "genius," but he wasn't perfect. It would be nice if Garber acknowledged this, but her strengths clearly outweigh her weaknesses, and if you are interested in learning more about Shakespeare's plays, this is a worthwhile way to get that education.

This is a marvelous collection of essays about Shakespeare's plays, useful to advanced middle school students, high school and college students, and any one about to watch a play. Throw away your "No Fear Shakespeare" -- to master a play, watch a cinematic version, read Marjorie Garber's essay, watch a complete version with subtitles, then read the Modern Library/RSC edition with footnotes (works great on a Kindle). Save the Arden version for advanced scholarship; the Modern Library edition footnotes are just right for early acquaintance. Earlier reviews of this book say there is no table of contents on the kindle version. There is; it is simply hard to find because it is not correctly linked. Go to the "cover" (not the "beginning") and page through about 10 pages until you get to the TOC. Bookmark it. Remember: Shakespeare wrote *plays* not novels -- see it first. Teachers who flog their students through page after page of reading (and footnotes) without having first enjoyed the play as a play quite mistake the matter. Likewise, teachers who assign No Fear Shakespeare - translating Shakespeare? Come now, we don't read it for the plots... Shakespeare After All provides just the right amount of background knowledge, appreciation of the good jokes, and political and historical context to move on to the next level of appreciating -- and more importantly, enjoying -- Shakespeare's plays.

An excellent book: insightful, well written, and just about as comprehensive as a book on Shakespeare can be.

Each play by Shakespeare is discussed in terms of a notable feature of that work; it is compared to other plays and given a context. If you read or watch Shakespeare for work or for pleasure, this is a library essential as it is both scholarly and accessible. The book grew out of a series of lectures which are also excellent. My only problem is that I bought it on my Kindle and the navigation is not fun - it is a book you consult or dip into, according to your need, and Kindle makes that very difficult.

This is a monster of a book packed full of insight into the plays of William Shakespeare. Another reviewer has criticized the way Professor Gerber tackles each play, but I think she pitches her analyses pretty spot on. As she describes a play she will stop and detour into some aspect of the cultural mores of the England of Shakespeare's day and come back. I find ( as a layman ) that is exactly what I wanted. I wasn't looking for Heavy Textual Criticism that might only be understandable to other Eng Lit Professors. This is an excellent book for the layman - if you are prepared to concentrate and forgive Professor Gerber when she does occasionally throw in a semantics term that you have never heard of - USUALLY she explains them. But not always.

I have had this book on my wish list for a long time, and the decision to write a paper for one of my college classes on King Lear and the reign of King James I seemed an excellent excuse to acquire it. While I have not had the opportunity to read it fully, the thorough index made it easily useful for my needs, and I look forward to being able to read the rest of it at my leisure.

Not only does Prof. Garber have wonderful introductions to all the plays; but the resources of notes and suggestions for additional readings are added bonuses. Her knowledge and explanations are a marvelous critical resource for anyone wanting to increase, or be introduced to, the enjoyment of our language's greatest playwright and wordsmith. If you have this book and the complete works, you have everything you need to enjoy Shakespeare. My best suggestion for enjoyment is (if you can't get to a play) get the audio from your local library, and after having read Garber, plug in, and follow along as you LISTEN to the play. Shakespeare is meant to be heard!

Great condition and good read.