Classic Literature Books
Understanding Pope: The Rape of the Lock
The meaning and significance of Alexander Pope's "The Rape of the Lock."
Understanding Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
The meaning and significance of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a medieval romance of knightly adventures and courtly love.
Lectures on British Neoclassic Literature
A survey of British literature during the 17th and 18th centuries! Literary works include "Gulliver's Travels" by Jonathan Swift, "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope, and "The Way of the World" by William Congreve.
Lectures on Early English Literature
Complete lectures in clear and easy-to-understand essay form on Medieval and Renaissance literature. Works covered include BEOWULF, SIR GAWAIN, THE CANTERBURY TALES, DOCTOR FAUSTUS, SHAKESPEARE'S SONNETS, PART I of KING HENRY IV, and PARADISE LOST.
Understanding Marlowe: Doctor Faustus
A full and clear explanation of Christopher Marlowe's classic play about pride, power, and magic. Also included is a modern English translation of the German chapbook version of the Faust story that was originally printed in 1587.
Understanding Beowulf
What does "Beowulf" mean? Why is it important? A medievalist explains the literary and cultural significance of the classic Anglo-Saxon poem.
Understanding the Poetry of William Wordsworth
A detailed look at TINTERN ABBEY and the INTIMATIONS ODE presented in plain and simple prose.
Understanding Shakespeare: Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare's marvelous madcap comedy explained in plain and simple prose! The eminent literary critic Harold Bloom compared the pacing of Shakespeare’s "Twelfth Night" to that of a Marx Brothers comedy. Two words that perhaps best describe a Marx Brothers comedy are insanity and fun...
Understanding Shakespeare: The Tempest
A scene-by-scene analysis of Shakespeare's "The Tempest" with full explanations of all key lines. Also included in this volume is a reprint of the English translation of Jacob Ayrer's "The Fair Sidea," a possible source of the play. "The Tempest" is one of Shakespeare’s most popular and highly...
Understanding Shakespeare: Much Ado about Nothing
The comedy "Much Ado about Nothing" breaks a familiar dramatic convention of the Renaissance. Typically, a writer would direct the central focus of a comedy on the young lovers of the play, and the best lines and most pleasing poetry of the work would be spoken by those characters. In "Much...