#smrgSAHAF A Shakespeare Treasury -
This is essentially a personal anthology, an offering of select passages from Shakespeare's works which over the years have given me pleasure, inspiration and comfort. As Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for more than a quarter of a century it has been my fortunate responsibility to have in my care Shakespeare's Birthplace probably the world's most famous literary Mecca – and to find myself much involved with the educa- tional and academic activities associated with the important library, archives and museum collections in my custody. In so doing I have not only come to appreciate the infinite variety and richness of Shakespeare's works, but also to realise in what universal esteem his genius is held by people of all nationalities. Indeed, though an Englishman, Shakespeare belongs to the world. In him we have a man who speaks with authority as clearly and convincingly today as he did in the adventurous and uncertain times when he lived.
I have called my selection a treasury because it contains good and precious things. Many of the passages of verse included are already well known and have been frequently printed and quoted; among them are some of the most beautiful and famous verse com- positions in the English language. Others are not so familiar but are equally illustrative of Shakespeare's remarkable knowledge and understanding of every conceivable subject and facet of human character, not to mention of his incomparable mastery of language and poetic verse.
Ideally the passages should be read in the context of the plays or poems from which they are taken, but for convenience of refer- ence I have added titles which seem appro- priate. So far as arrangement is concerned no attempt has been made to follow any pattern or theme. The resultant medley with its mixture of ingredients should therefore pro- vide reading for all occasions, moods and situations, both for young and old. At the same time I venture to hope that some readers will feel moved to become better acquainted with that even greater treasury of wisdom and beauty the Complete Works of - Shakespeare himself.
LEVI FOX
The Shakespeare Centre Stratford-upon-Avon
This is essentially a personal anthology, an offering of select passages from Shakespeare's works which over the years have given me pleasure, inspiration and comfort. As Director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust for more than a quarter of a century it has been my fortunate responsibility to have in my care Shakespeare's Birthplace probably the world's most famous literary Mecca – and to find myself much involved with the educa- tional and academic activities associated with the important library, archives and museum collections in my custody. In so doing I have not only come to appreciate the infinite variety and richness of Shakespeare's works, but also to realise in what universal esteem his genius is held by people of all nationalities. Indeed, though an Englishman, Shakespeare belongs to the world. In him we have a man who speaks with authority as clearly and convincingly today as he did in the adventurous and uncertain times when he lived.
I have called my selection a treasury because it contains good and precious things. Many of the passages of verse included are already well known and have been frequently printed and quoted; among them are some of the most beautiful and famous verse com- positions in the English language. Others are not so familiar but are equally illustrative of Shakespeare's remarkable knowledge and understanding of every conceivable subject and facet of human character, not to mention of his incomparable mastery of language and poetic verse.
Ideally the passages should be read in the context of the plays or poems from which they are taken, but for convenience of refer- ence I have added titles which seem appro- priate. So far as arrangement is concerned no attempt has been made to follow any pattern or theme. The resultant medley with its mixture of ingredients should therefore pro- vide reading for all occasions, moods and situations, both for young and old. At the same time I venture to hope that some readers will feel moved to become better acquainted with that even greater treasury of wisdom and beauty the Complete Works of - Shakespeare himself.
LEVI FOX
The Shakespeare Centre Stratford-upon-Avon
