This essential study takes a fresh look at four of Shakespeare's major History plays. Part I uses carefully selected short extracts for close textual analysis, while Part II examines the historical and literary contexts and key criticism. The volume is an ideal introductory guide for those who are studying the Histories for the first time.
Detailed analysis of the poems is closely grounded in the historical and literary contexts in which Lyrical Ballads was first conceived and realized. John Blades traces the history of the work over the two centuries since first publication.
This comprehensive guide to the poetry and letters of John Keats offers a highly readable and detailed textual analysis of the themes and techniques of his work.
This guide to James Joyce's major novels presents a refreshing approach to understanding the work of this challenging and enigmatic giant of twentieth- century literature. Taking the student through a careful, step-by-step analysis of each text, John Blades demonstrates a practical and lively method of critical analysis.