If you need a helping hand with Shakespeare, this book provides it.

Dr Cedric Watts, Emeritus Professor of English Literature at Sussex University, offers a broad introductory survey of Shakespeare's works and techniques. Every play is discussed critically - even Love's Labour's Won! Matters of prosody and rhetoric are explained. The Sonnets are interpreted provocatively.

'An ideal book for those coming to Shakespeare for the first time and for more experienced readers. Watts offers the most lively and cheering company', says Professor David Hopkins of Bristol University.

The eminent novelist Ian McEwan adds: 'Cedric Watts is a superb critic in the liberal tradition - highly readable, open and generous in spirit, broad and deep in his reading, and wise in judgement.'

Cedric Watts has written numerous books on Shakespeare's works, and has edited 21 of the plays for the Wordsworth Classics' Shakespeare Series.