The first part of this anthology, examines the play from a variety of perspectives: historical context, dating and sources, character analysis, comic elements, verbal conceits, evidence of authorship, and feminist interpretations. Two essays are translated here for the first time from French and Japanese and one was commissioned especially for this volume. The second part, on performance analysis and theatre reviews, presents critical reviews that are balanced by essays written by practicing theatre artists who have worked on the play. The section includes two new translations and four newly commissioned pieces. One of these, by the great Hungarian actor Peter Huszti, who has directed five productions of the play, including the one in the New York Public Theatre's Shakespeare marathon, writes from the directorial perspective; that production's designer, John Exell, also contributes an essay. The volume is illustrated with production photographs and is indexed by name, literary work, and concept.