The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Fifth Edition
by David M. Bevington
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 204)
Read in July, 2008
This is my favorite literature to read - hands down. I've read I guess a little less than half of this at this point. Some of my favorites are Macbeth, King Lear, Othello, and Merchant of Venice. But honestly, I haven't disliked anything I have read.
One of the great things about reading Shakespeare is that that he wrote in English, albeit outdated now. When reading, say, Dante or Virgil or Augustine's Confessions, etc., one thing that is lost is the beauty of how these men wrote in th...more
One of the great things about reading Shakespeare is that that he wrote in English, albeit outdated now. When reading, say, Dante or Virgil or Augustine's Confessions, etc., one thing that is lost is the beauty of how these men wrote in th...more
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Of course, it's Shakespeare, but Bevington actually has a lot of interesting insight that he puts before every play, and notes within the plays themselves. Often he'll refer to the original source for where Shakespeare got his inspiration, at least for the history plays, and say where Shakespeare deviated from the facts, or conflated two events, and offer his opinion why it might have been good for the play for Shakespeare to do that. My only complaint is with the construction of the book - it's...more
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Read in January, 2000
I had to buy this hulking beast of a book for a class on - what else - Shakespeare. I couldn't bring myself to try selling it afterwards, and to be honest it's been a good addition to the shelf to look up a line and/or prove that you didn't misquote something. The cover of the edition I have is way less gaudy than the one posted here ...
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recommends it for:
People that need help understanding Shakespeare
I got this, thinking I'd get a complete works of Shakespeare.
I wasn't really a fan of the "introductions" before each of his plays. I am glad they were trying to help people better understand his work... It just wasn't for me.
Once I was in the nitty gritty of Shakespeare, I loved every word.
I wasn't really a fan of the "introductions" before each of his plays. I am glad they were trying to help people better understand his work... It just wasn't for me.
Once I was in the nitty gritty of Shakespeare, I loved every word.
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This book has gotten me through years of college and grad school. I once told Emily while sitting in class that I wanted to be buried with my Bevington. He adds fantastic (and informative) intros to each play, and appears to stick to Shakespeare's original text (when compared to other books).
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Read in October, 1992
Excellent critical analysis and useful insight into Shakespeare's entire body of work. Purchased for a college Shakespearean lit class. The only problem: far too large and heavy to take on planes, the El and other locations where I often read.
Favorites: Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream
Favorites: Macbeth, A Midsummer Night's Dream
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Read in February, 2004
One of my favorite books!!! I would've carried it everywhere with me if the book wasn't so big. Truly a great read if you are ever in the mood for some Shakespeare. The author even does a nice job with reference points within each of Shakespeare's work. W
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It is much easier to read Shakespeare NOT in a large clumsy book. It worked best to make copies of what I wanted to read then to read it...but that killed too many trees. So I keep this book as a library piece and buy the plays in smaller format.
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Read in September, 2005
i used this book for my Shakespeare class and read 5-6 plays in it and not i am using it again..not the whole thing, we are only reading three plays for my Shakespeare and culture class. It is good to have.
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I love his plays most. My book is actually the 3rd edition, not the 5th. I'm not sure if there's a big difference in each edition. David Bevington edits them all, so I'm guessing there's not.
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I haven't read the complete works of Shakespeare from cover-to-cover by any stretch of the imagination. The pieces that I have read have been fantastic, though.
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Read in March, 2006
Very good anthology with all kinds of extra info-y goodness. Very good edition to use for deep reading and course work in Shakespeare.
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Bevington really is the authority on Shakespeare. I have this monster still from college and will likely never part with it.
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Yes, I read almost everything in this complete collection. I was an English major in a Shakespeare class.
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I always love Shakespeare, and this edition has excellent notes. I used it in college.
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Read in January, 2005
recommends it for:
Anyone
Shakespeare needs no introduction. Everyone should read Shakespeare. Period.
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Love Shakespeare and love David Bevington, even if he does fart during class.
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hadn't read the whole thing but macbeth is probably one of my picks
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Read in January, 2001
Only read the major tragedies
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