A Shakespeare Glossary

By Charles Talbut Onions

Book Overview

A justly famous aid to the study of Shakespeare, this glossary--originally compiled by C.T. Onions, an editor of the Oxford English Dictionary--clarifies those words in Shakespeare whose senses or connotations may be unfamiliar to the modern reader, paying special attention to dialect forms, idioms, and colloquial phrases. Original in its explanations and illuminating in its definitions, the Glossary brings out the richness and subtley found in Elizabethan English. Incorporating the many advances made in the field since the last (revised) edition was published in 1919, this volume reveals new facts about the meanings of words in Shakespeare, alters previous interpretations, and resolves earlier controversies. In addition, the book takes advantage of two highly accurate, computer based concordances that make every occurrence of each word immediately accessible for investigation and comparison. A reference work without peer, the Glossary is an essential source for students, scholars, playgoers and readers of Shakespeare, and those interested in the history of the English language.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198125216
• ISBN13: 9780198125211
• Release Date: May 1986
• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Length: 346 Pages
• Weight: 0.99 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Incredibly useful, clear and concise

Any student, reader, or lover of Shakespeare should have this. Every odd term or word in his plays and poems appears here as well as more ordinary words that had a different meaning then or in that context, complete with a sample quotation from the source. The definitions are clear and short, and the layout is the same as it would be with any dictionary. No reading of Shakespeare is complete without an understanding of his words and their often double or triple meanings; this book helps make that understanding possible.

Shakespeare Glossary

This item was in great condition and is just the book I was hoping it would be. Very very useful for Shakespeare study.

A good reference for the humanitarian Shakespearean

This is a good dictionary for Shakespears terms. I was proven wrong when I thought I would never find many of the words I found. I would recommend it.

Good resource that leaves nothing wanting!

If you are a reader, actor or spectator of Shakespeare you must have this book. It is an indispensable guide to the speech and hidden meanings of Shakespeare's words. I especially stress the hidden meanings aspect of the glossary--- a feature you may not find in a footnoted version of the play. This glossary also allows for a fast reference to finding a word in any Shakespeare play. A word will have the meaning and examples of the when it is used in a play. This comes in handy when trying to locate a quotation or a scene. The binding is sturdy and the book is easy to carry and reference to. There is no reason not to have this book if you love Shakespeare. If nothing else it is also fun to just peruse!

THE Shakespeare companion

This book is a necessity for anyone reading Shakespeare's works. It is a complete dictionary of terms compiled in an easy to understand format. This source is the most useful research tool for all soon to be Shakespearean scholars.