Shakespeare’s tragedy about two star-crossed lovers from warring families has stirred audiences and readers alike and inspired other artists for generations. This invaluable new study guide to one of Shakespeare’s greatest plays contains a selection of the finest criticism through the centuries on Romeo and Juliet. Students will also benefit from the additional features in this volume, including an introduction by Harold Bloom, an accessible summary of the plot, an analysis of several key passages, a comprehensive list of characters, a biography of Shakespeare, essays discussing the main currents of criticism in each century since Shakespeare’s time, and more.

Each volume in the Bloom’s Shakespeare Through the Ages contains the finest criticism on a particular work from the Bard’s oeuvre, selected under the guidance of renowned Shakespearean scholar, Harold Bloom Intended for students just beginning their exploration of Shakespeare, these invaluable study guides present the best of Shakespeare criticism, from the 17th century to today In the process, each volume also charts the flow over time of critical discussion of a particular work.

This essential set is unique not only in the range of commentary it provides on each of Shakespeare’s greatest works, but also in its emphasis on the greatest critics in our literary tradition — including such critics as John Dryden in the 17th century, Samuel Johnson in the 18th century, William Hazlitt and Samuel Taylor Coleridge in the 19th century, A.C. Bradley and William Empson in the 20th century, and many more Some of the pieces included are full—length essays; others are excerpts designed to present a key point.

Series Introduction • Introduction by Harold Bloom • Biography of William Shakespeare • Summary of Romeo and Juliet • Key Passages in Romeo and Juliet • List of Characters in Romeo and Juliet