Studying Shakespeare: An Introduction Andrew Gurr
As an introduction to Shakespeare's plays (using three as examples), this study offers guidance to the reader and illuminates the main issues involved. It offers advice on the best ways to approach Shakespeare's plays in the theatre as well as on the page. In using as examples one history play, one comedy and one tragedy, the text covers the widest possible variety of audience responses and generic types. It surveys recent critical theories and assesses their usefulness for the study of Shakespeare.