What is a Bum-Bailey? Who saved Arion from the pirates? How do you know if you're Hilding for a Livery? Who leads Apes in Hell?

It is said that England and America are two nations separated by a common language, and nowhere is that more true than in our dealings with the Bard. Rife with arcane references, unfamiliar expressions, and even made-up words, Shakespeare's texts can intimidate even the most learned reader. Here in one comprehensive volume, Shakespeare's ornate and sometimes bewildering language is made easy to understand.

The 15,000 entries comprising Shakespeare's Language feature definitions of words as they are used in the texts - it is not necessary to know the infinitive or root of a word in order to find its meaning; a quote placing each defined word or phrase in context, so you can be sure of its correct usage; and geographical references, historical and mythological figures, and foreign-language expressions.