Shakespearean Concepts

I am disappointed to note that this book is no longer in print. Though it was published in 1989, it has not, in fact, 'aged' in any important way. It is an extremely useful reference tool to readers of Shakespeare who want to find out what is meant by various conceptual terms they are likely to - or at least may - come across whenever Shakespeare is discussed in various traditional (or not so traditional) works of scholarship. For example, any such readers will at some stage encounter words like 'tragedy' or 'comedy'. Usually, when these terms are employed, they are not defined: some common understanding is assumed of 'what we all know'. But in practice 'tragedy' does NOT mean the same at all times, or in all minds, and Trussler offers excellent, clear, descriptive accounts of how the term has been used. I feel strongly that I would have benefited greatly from having this book at my disposal when around eighteen and a first-year university student, but also at later times. In fact I consult it pretty frequently even now (in my sixties), because it contains a wealth of information not easily found elsewhere, and certainly not in one convenient volume. Furthermore, although the author does not want the book to be read consecutively (the items are alphabetically arranged), it is wonderful to dip into and to learn from. Heartily recommended! Joost Daalder