Open a new portal into Shakespeare’s words—and his Renaissance life—with math and numbers as your key. Shakespeare’s era was abuzz with mathematical progress, from the new concept of “zero” to Galileo’s redraft of the heavens. Now, Rob Eastaway uncovers the many surprising ways math shaped Shakespeare’s plays—and his world—touring astronomy, code-breaking, color theory, navigation, music, sports, and more. How reliable was a pocket sundial? Was math illusionist John Dee the real-life Prospero? How long was a Scottish mile, and what could you buy for a groat? Do Jupiter’s moons have a cameo in Cymbeline? How did ordinary people use numbers day to day? And might Shakespeare have tried that game-changing invention—the pencil? Full of delights for devotees of both Tudor history and the Bard, Much Ado About Numbers is proof that the arts and sciences have always danced together.

"A spectacular journey... Highly recommended!" Dr Simon Smith, The Shakespeare Institute "A fascinating and hugely entertaining guide to Shakespearean mathematics." Prof Sarah Hart, author of Once Upon A Prime "A playful and engaging book ... bound to excite the appetite of all Shakespeare junkies." Patrick Spottiswoode, Founder, Shakespeare's Globe Education 'Instead of cleaving maths and English in twain, Eastaway brings them together to surprise and delight the reader.' Dr Rebecca Fisher, The English Association A fascinating new take on the world of Shakespeare. What's the connection between Shakespeare and maths? A lot, as it turns out! Shakespeare grew up in a time of remarkable mathematical innovation. From astronomy to probability, music to multiplication, new mathematical ideas were taking off - and much of this was reflected in his work. In this highly engaging book, award-winning author Rob Eastaway explores the surprising and entertaining ways that maths and numbers crop up in Shakespeare's plays. Find out how Tudors multiplied, why Shakespeare never ended a line with the word orange, and why dice-playing was a serious hazard for the unwary. With historical asides about games, optics, astronomy, music and magic, you will never think about maths, history or Shakespeare the same way again.

This volume is a comprehensive collection of critical essays on The Taming of the Shrew, and includes extensive discussions of the play's various printed versions and its theatrical productions. Aspinall has included only those essays that offer the most influential and controversial arguments surrounding the play. The issues discussed include gender, authority, female autonomy and unruliness, courtship and marriage, language and speech, and performance and theatricality.

This three-volume set comprises a reference covering not only the plays and the life of Shakespeare, but also his world and his continuing influence on modern culture. Arranged alphabetically, it presents the plays and provides details on poetry, government, music and theatre, prominent historical figures, critical commentaries, court life, gender, clothing, set design, characters in the plays, and cultural influences on Shakespeare. Sidebars highlight significant details and include comments by stage and film actors and producers regarding specific passages, costumes, props, and other aspects of production. Includes maps of England, London, and Stratford; genealogical charts illustrating the relationships of characters in the plays; numerous bandw illustrations; and eight-page color inserts in each volume showing the people and places of England, examples of different productions, and photos from movies, television, operas and ballets. Appropriate for high school and college. c. Book News Inc.

Elizabethan Life; Shakespeare, William.