- This ideal introduction covers the major topics essential to the study of Shakespeare including Shakespeare's life and work, his language, the theater in Shakespeare's time, early modern social structures (family, class, and gender), the historical and political contexts of the plays, and everyday life in early modern England. A new chapter on Shakespeare in performance introduces students to the great variety of productions of Shakespeare's works over the centuries and includes a selection of evocative performance photographs that help bring the history of performance to life.- Unique sets of primary documents in each chapter give students firsthand knowledge of early modern culture, including maps and illustrations, excerpts from conduct books, sermons, playhouse records, facsimiles from quartos and the First Folio, passages from Shakespeare's sources, dress laws, and popular ballads. The second edition features more documents by women and other marginalized voices from the early modern period and a new set of documents on Shakespeare in performance.- Useful editorial apparatus includes a through bibliography that provides students with a convenient resource for locating additional materials and serves as an introduction to the most significant Shakespeare criticism. An annotated appendix of the most useful Shakespeare Web sites helps students find additional documents and illustrations and aids their research. The Bedford Shakespeare Series Web Si