Shakespeare: The Basics is a lively and accessible introduction to reading and studying Shakespeare. Exploring all aspects of Shakespeare’s plays, Sean McEvoy considers the language, cultural contexts, and modern interpretations. This essential guide to a range of contemporary Shakespearean criticism explores and unpacks the different dramatic genres in which he wrote--comedy, history, tragedy and romance. It also provides a wealth of relevant and concise information on the historical, social and political contexts in which the plays were produced and have been understood. Extensively updated throughout, the fourth edition provides: · A comprehensive account of Shakespearean tragedy for students · An introduction to ecocritical, ethical and queer readings of the plays · Analysis of notable recent Shakespeare films and productions · Enhanced contextual material on race and empire, gender roles and the theatre in politics. With fully updated further reading throughout and a wide range of case studies and examples, Shakespeare: The Basics is an indispensable introduction for college and university students of literature and theatre, but also for anyone with an interest in the world’s most influential dramatist.