Part 1:Introduction 5
The life of William Shakespeare 5
Literary and theatrical background 6
Relevant ideas 10
Mutability 13
A note on the text 13
Part 2:Summaries 15
Part 3:Commentary 54
Occasion and sources 54
Structure of the play 55
Imagery 57
Verse and style 61
Characters 63
Meaning of the play 70
Part 4:Hints for study 73
Close reading 73
Passages to memorise 76
Revision of the play 78
Part 5:Suggestions for further reading 82
The author of these notes 84