This guide investigates the complete canon of William Shakespeare to provide a comprehensive reference for both the casual playgoer and the academic reader. Michael Dobson and Stanley Wells, both distinguished scholars in the field of Shakespearean studies, utilize their extensive expertise to distill complex textual and historical data into an accessible format. The book serves as a structured framework for understanding the playwright's sonnets, poems, and plays through a blend of plot analysis and historical context.

Experts recognize this work as a reliable and condensed derivative of the Oxford Companion to Shakespeare, making it highly suitable for students and theater enthusiasts. Readers frequently note the clarity of the prose and the utility of the production histories provided for each play.