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Research Guide
Shakespeare
Scope: This guide is designed to help you find print, video and Internet based resources about Shakespeare and his works. The materials listed below are general in nature. To find information about a particular play, add its title or genre to your original search. Users from middle school level to adult should find the materials useful.To aid in your search, log on to CyberMars with your library card to reserve any titles that interest you, or ask a librarian for assistance. To return to the Research Guide page, click here.
A. Introduction

Although Shakespeare lived and wrote more than 400 years ago, people today still enjoy reading and seeing his plays. Students also like to write essays about the stories, characters and themes in the plays.

B. Subject Headings and Shelf Numbers   
  • Shakespeare, William
  • Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616
    Add titles or topics to the above
  • Browse call numbers 822.33
C. Frequently Mentioned Texts
  • The Complete Works of Shakespeare
  • The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Individual editions of any of the plays
D. General References, e.g. Guides, Encyclopedia, or Dictionaries   
  • Shakespeare A to Z:The Essential Reference to His Plays, His Poems, His Life and Times and More by Charles Boyce. Facts on File, 1990. 822.33/ZB789s
  • A Complete Concordance or Verbal Index to Words, Phrases and Passages in the Dramatic Works of Shakespeare by John Bartlett. 822.33/YB289C/R
  • Dictionary of Shakespeare by Louise McConnell. 822.33/YM478d

For study guides to the individual plays the Library System has Cliff's Notes

E. Magazines or Newspapers
  • The Library System has a subscription to the Ebscohost database that you may use either from home or in the library to search for magazine articles about Shakespeare.
  • Look for reviews of current stage performances of Shakespeare's plays in the Proquest database.
F. Internet Resources
G. Other Media, e.g. Video, Audio
  • The Library System has a number of video recordings of stage and film performances of Shakespeare plays; the system also has audio recordings on CD and audio cassette. Look for these under the plays' titles.
  • William Shakespeare: his life and times (video) is a six part BBC TV series 791.45/W716ws
Prepared by G. Garloch
September 2004