Harold Bloom, the doyen of American literary critics and author of 'The Western Canon', has spent a professional lifetime reading, writing about, and teaching Shakespeare. In this magisterial interpretation, Bloom explains Shakespeare's genius in a radical and provocative re-reading of the plays.

Harold Bloom's Shakespeare examines the sources and impact of Bloom's Shakespearean criticism. Through focused and sustained study of this writer and his best-selling book, this collection of essays addresses a wide range of issues pertinent to both general readers and university classes: the cultural role of Shakespeare and of a new secular humanism addressed to general readers and audiences; the author as literary origin; the persistence of character as a category of literary appreciation; and the influence of Shakespeare within the Anglo-American educational system. Together, the essays reflect on the ethics of literary theory and criticism.

In Harold Bloom's New York Times bestselling Shakespeare: The Invention of the Human, the world's foremost literary critic theorized on the authorship of the historic play Hamlet. In this engaging new stand-alone work, he offers a full and warmly personal account of the play itself, explores its extraordinary impact throughout the history of western literature, and seeks to uncover the mystery at its heart.

Suitable for students just beginning their exploration of Shakespeare, this study guide presents some of the best of Shakespeare criticism, since the 17th century. It provides on each of Shakespeare's greatest works, emphasising on the greatest critics in our literary tradition.

Each volume in the Bloom's Shakespeare Through the Ages set contains the finest criticism on a particular work from the Bard's oeuvre, selected under the guidance of renowned Shakespearean scholar, Harold Bloom. Intended for students just beginning their exploration of Shakespeare, these invaluable study guides present the best of Shakespeare criticism, from the 17th century to today. In the process, each volume also charts the flow over time of critical discussion of a particular work.

This essential set is unique not only in the range of commentary it provides on each of Shakespeare's greatest works, but also in its emphasis on the greatest critics in our literary tradition—including such critics as John Dryden in the 17th century, Samuel Johnson in the 18th century, William Hazlitt and Samuel Coleridge in the 19th century, A.C. Bradley and William Empson in the 20th century, and many more. Some of the pieces included are full-length essays; others are excerpts designed to present a key point.

Each title features:

• A selection of the best criticism on the work through the centuries
• Introductory essays on the development of criticism on the work in each century
• A brief biography of Shakespeare
• A plot synopsis, list of characters, and analysis of several key passages
• An introduction by Harold Bloom.

A practical resource guide for writing essays on William Shakespeare, with advice for students designed to help them develop their analytical skills and understand Shakespeare's works.

Offers an in-depth exploration of Shakespeare's character Cleopatra, delving into the complexities of her personality as well as how the author's understanding of her has evolved over the years.