Although he wrote 400 years ago, Shakespeare's plays continue to be performed by directors and actors interpreting his material for contemporary audiences. He also continues to leave his mark on films, comic books, television shows, and popular culture, as modern creative artists adapt and refashion his works. With special emphasis on the last hundred years, this encyclopedia chronicles the lasting influence of Shakespeare on popular culture. It includes broad sections on types of media to which Shakespeare has been adapted, each beginning with an overview essay, followed by sections on individual plays. These present chronologically arranged entries on adaptations. In addition, the work offers stage histories, biographies of actors and directors, and other valuable information. Actors, directors and writers featured include Kenneth Branagh, Ralph Fiennes, John Gielgud, Laurence Olivier, Vanessa Redgrave, Orson Welles, John Barrymore, Peter Brook, Bertolt Brecht, Henry Irving, and Joseph Papp. The encyclopedia also provides entries on the presence of Shakespeare in films, TV series, and books, including "The Avengers", "Alley Oop", "Buffy the Vampire Slayer", "Classics Illustrated", "Dombey and Son", "Forbidden Planet", "Get Over It", "The Lion King", "A Plague of Angels", "Superman", "Tombstone", and "Ulysses". It closes with a selected, general bibliography and an extensive index.