Shakespeare's Language: A Glossary of Unfamiliar Words in Shakespeare's Plays and Poems - Hardcover

Shewmaker, Eugene F.

9780816032761: Shakespeare's Language: A Glossary of Unfamiliar Words in Shakespeare's Plays and Poems

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0816032769 ISBN 13: 9780816032761

Publisher: Facts on File, 1996

What is a Bum-Bailey? Who saved Arion from the pirates? How do you know if you're Hilding for a Livery? Who leads Apes in Hell?
It is said that England and America are two nations separated by a common language, and nowhere is that more true than in our dealings with the Bard. Rife with arcane references, unfamiliar expressions, and even made-up words, Shakespeare's texts can intimidate even the most learned reader. Here in one comprehensive volume, Shakespeare's ornate and sometimes bewildering language is made easy to understand.
The 15,000 entries comprising Shakespeare's Language feature definitions of words as they are used in the texts - it is not necessary to know the infinitive or root of a word in order to find its meaning; a quote placing each defined word or phrase in context, so you can be sure of its correct usage; and geographical references, historical and mythological figures, and foreign-language expressions.

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About the Author:

Eugene F. Shewmaker is a retired editor of dictionaries and other reference books. He earned an M.F.A. from the Yale School of Drama and pursued an interest in theater. He lives in Ridgefield, Connecticut.

From School Library Journal:

Grade 9 Up—Shakespeare's eloquent and sometimes-difficult language has often been a major stumbling block for those attempting to understand his works. To this end, Shewmaker has produced this new glossary to clarify the meaning behind the "arcane references, unfamiliar expressions, and words of [Shakespeare's] own invention." This update to the 1996 edition is a comprehensive listing of approximately 17,000 words, which are defined and then contextualized in an accompanying quote. The new chapter "Introduction to Shakespeare and His Language" both explains how the manuscripts we have today came to be and highlights specific well-known passages, indicating how an understanding of the words increases one's enjoyment of their author's genius. A guide to Shewmaker's abbreviations and a list of Shakespeare's poems and plays indexed in the text have been updated to include three plays recently accepted into the canon: Two Noble Kinsmen, Edward III, and Sir Thomas More. Thus, the current edition features more than 2000 new references, as well as an extensive updated bibliography, in keeping with the most current scholarship. Some listings, such as "accomplements" (from Edward III) are completely unique to this update, while others, such as "addressed" vs. "addrest," reflect spelling changes used in various texts since 1996. Although the print is somewhat smaller, the book is more inviting overall. Shewmaker's scholarly work will be of use to students who are trying to clarify uncommon words and/or usages from the Bard's dramatic and poetic works.—Nancy Menaldi-Scanlan, LaSalle Academy, Providence, RI
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