Need to swot up on your Shakespeare? If you've always felt a bit embarrassed at your precarious grasp on the plot of Othello, or you haven't a clue what a petard - as in 'hoist by his own petard' - actually is, then fear not, because this is the guide to bring you up to speed. 'Shakespeare for Grown-ups' is the essential book for anyone keen to deepen their knowledge of the Bard's key plays and sonnets. It covers the historical context of his writing; his personal life, contemporaries and influences; his language and poetic skill; modern-day adaptations and productions; theories about the authorship of his plays; his most famous speeches and quotations; and more.