Easily the most respected, revered, and researched writer of all time, William Shakespeare and his works have forever changed the face of literature, inspiring playful discussion and heated debate for hundreds of years. He wrote such well-known plays as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and A Midsummer Night's Dream, published more than 150 sonnets, and coined more than 1,500 new words. This engrossing reference examines all facets of Shakespeare and his writings, featuring criticism throughout the centuries, and includes a chronology of his life, an introduction by Harold Bloom, and an index for handy reference.