So You Think You Know Shakespeare?

by: Claire Saunders and John Saunders

Published by: Cold Spring Press

Review by Patty Inglish, M.S.

Subtitled: The Ultimate Shakespeare Quiz Book

How much do you know about the man, the myth, and the writings that are Shakespeare?

This unique book tests your memory with 100 of the best-known Shakespearean quotations. They include at least one quote from each of his plays and are introduced with short quizzes to stimulate your brain. The quotations are grouped into categories with such headings as Dying Words, Dreams, Villains, Curses and Insults, Resurrections; Fools, Clowns and Jesters; and others. The book includes the quizzes, an answer section, and a short biography of William Shakespeare, permitting you to start anywhere, or to read it from beginning to end.

The quizzes are written for beginning fans as well as Shakespearean experts, and the quotations in the book have a tremendous range. They touch on love, despair, hope, death, joy, wit, humor, and beauty. Halfway through reading this gem, I could see that Shakespeare reached into all corners of the universe for truth about the human condition.

I understand now why the original Star Trek (TOS) used Shakespearean quotations in episode titles and why so many ST Captains are Shakespearian actors. They reach into almost as many aspects of life as did Shakespeare himself, and now this book makes me want to re-read the entire Shakespearian library with a new understanding.

The Quiz section is followed by Answers, Notes and Queries, with commentaries and essays on each play. This gives a context and point of reference for each quotation and describes how the English language was used at the time of writing. The quiz explanations demonstrate Shakespeare's specific goals in each play, and convince me further of his broad understanding of human nature.

If you are reading Shakespeare in school or a reading club, this is the book to give you an extra understanding. Use it to quiz your group or class when you make your next presentation.

Armchair Interviews says: If you are not as familiar with Shakespeare as you think, this book will help make it so. "To know or not to know," that is the question.