16th and 17th centuries

Provides a critical introduction to women writers of the English Renaissance.

Looks at Shakespeare's unique use of language in both prose and verse, including the new phrases he coined, his word arrangement, and his use of puns and metaphors.

Presents a selection of poetry and expository prose from the Elizabethan age, ranging from the writings of fifteenth-century poet John Skelton, to the literature of the early 1600s; and includes brief author profiles, a general bibliography, and chronological tables.

Presents miscellaneous facts about William Shakespeare's work and life, with insights into his plays and poems and the Elizabethan theatrical world in which he worked.

Provides an overview of significant authors, trends, works, and developments in English literature from the Old English period through the Renaissance.

Provides historical, cultural, and social contexts for the study of English literature, looking at the literary genres and highlighting key writers and works from the Renaissance, and includes a time line, glossaries, and resources for further study.

Examines the works of Shakespeare in relation to the times he lived in and their influence upon the age.