The Tempest has not only generated many creative adaptations in drama, poetry, novels and films, but it has also proved a testing ground for virtually all the new literary theories available. This selection gives examples from cultural studies, feminism, psychological criticism, political readings, new historicism, postcolonialism, new geography and other approaches. The book will give students an understanding of the bases of contemporary criticism, and it will give insights into Shakespeare's text from a rich variety of perspectives.

As one of the world's greatest love stories Romeo and Juliet continues to excite new theatre-goers, readers and film-goers. Its depiction of tragic lovers strikes a chord in each generation of young people, and seems to speak in their own idiom. As such, it reflects, and allows us to analyse, changing attitudes to sex in a violent world. This collection of contemporary essays raises topical debates about the nature of love conventions, as well as offering new insights into Shakespeare's text.