ENG306 (F02): ESKIN
The Web Sites
This page may change during the course of the semester, so please come back often. It has been constructed by the students of ENG306: Shakespeare, Late Plays. Each student has contributed three sites, including a description and rating of that site. There may be more than one description and rating for any given site. All reviews are located below the link. (They are in no particular order.) If you find that any of the links are not working, feel free to contact me via email.
Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet
This is an exceptional site, not only in and of itself, but it is an excellent source for finding other quality Shakespearean web sites. It is very extensive, touching on almost every aspect of Shakespeare. This site is easily navigable and very aesthetically pleasing. The information provided is both frequently added to and impressively scholarly. If you are interested in seriously researching the Bard, this site is for you! -Kelli Delach
Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet has a Shakespeare timeline and a quiz to test knowledge about his life. If you are brave you could answer yes to the question that suggests some of the work credited to Shakespeare was actually written by someone else. Information on his works, life, theatre and criticism can be found on this site. -Katie Hatcher
This site is easy to navigate and holds some interesting information including a comprehensive timeline of Shakespeare’s life and a genealogy; however, many of the links are out of date and are inaccessible. Some of the newer links connect the user to other valuable sites, but it is rather annoying to try to find the links that work. -Joy Buerrier
Though not visually striking, this site is well organized and informative. “Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet” contains many useful links and special sections entitled “Life & Times” and “Criticism.” -Danielle Whaley
"Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet" was constructed by Terry A. Gray. This site has a search engine for easy navigation. Three separate features caught my eye; they were the links to timelines, criticism, and festivals. The first timeline consisted of Shakespeare's genealogy, while the timeline summary displayed the life, works, and coinciding historical events and publications. The criticism is broken down to several specific avenues including each play that we will study this semester. Mr. Gray features over 120 links to Shakespearean Festivals and Theatre Companies, including some out of the United States. This site will be a good jumping off point when looking for criticism on our projects. -Jessica English
The value of this site is evident by the numerous awards it has received. This website is a complete educational source for Shakespeare including his works, life and times, theatre, criticism, information on the renaissance, educational tools, links to other sites, and other helpful tools. The website is educationally sponsored and not produced by an individual; therefore, it offers more credibility than an independent site. The site is also very well laid out and easy to navigate. -Laura Tomashek
I rated this website a 9 because it takes into account my infantile knowledge of internet study and makes it easy for me. This site has loads of sites available. On the link to criticism, the creator has listed a number of links to various journals that deal specifically with criticism related to Shakespeare. He gives a brief overview of most sites and says that he indicates which ones you must subscribe to by using $$ signs (although I did not notice any on the links page). . This is an excellent gateway to various websites. (Note: some of the websites no longer work.)
***The Charles and Mary Lamb connection on the site above, tells the story of each play, although I suppose it is one specific interpretation of the plays. I liked it. -Sandy RoddenberryThe Works of the Bard (no longer available)
If you are looking for a complete set of Shakespeare's works, look no further! Not only will you find all of his plays, but many poems too. The plays are separated by genre and when you select one you may skip to a specific act or scene. One of the best parts is that the font is large enough that you won't ruin your eyes by the end of the first scene. Other than some great links, and a helpful glossary, that is all this site provides. -Kelli Delach
As soon as you see the picture of "Hamlet contemplates a mouse," you know this site was developed by someone with a bit of a wry sense of humor. After that caught my attention I noticed that this site provides several copies of the Bard's plays in their original spellings. Those are very interesting! For those that prefer the theater aspect of the plays, there are great illustrations of costumes and period dress. I really enjoyed this site. -Kelli Delach
This website is home to a number of links which deal with literary criticism of Shakespeare. It contains links to the individual works of Shakespeare, and links to critics websites. -Todd Parrish
The Shakespeare Resource Center
The Shakespeare Resource Center is a very useful website. A person can find valuable information on this site regarding the plays, Elizabethan England, language in the time of Shakespeare and biological information about Shakespeare. -Katie Hatcher
Shakespeare Online (no longer available)
Shakespeare Online offers all types of information regarding his plays and poetry. Plots, important dates, a biography and a glossary can all be found on this site. -Katie Hatcher
This site was relatively helpful as a tool for researching Shakespeare;
however, I would not recommend it for college-level scholarly research.
The site is produced by an individual whose credentials include a BA in English
and mention of graduate school attendance and years of scholarly research on the
subject of Shakespeare and renaissance culture, but this individual lacks a
graduate degree or sponsorship for the site by a major college or university. The
site does provide various critical essays, but the essays are either written by
the designer of the website or by unknown critics. Because the credibility
of the site's critical essays remains unknown, I would be reluctant to use them
as sources for my own work.
When using the site, readers are bombarded with pop-up advertisements.
-Laura Tomashek
The Life and Times of Mr. William Shakespeare -- NO LONGER AVAILABLE
The Grand Prairie Regional College site dedicated to William Shakespeare claims to “explore his life and times.” However, this “tribute” that was designed to “provide background and depth” misses the mark almost altogether. In the first section dedicated to Shakespeare’s life, the site states upfront that the summary will be brief. But really who can adequately do justice to Shakespeare in three short paragraphs? I also was disappointed with the site’s timeline. Impressed by the healthy and active links that the site provided to many of Shakespeare’s works and to a variety of other Shakespearian websites, I’ll admit the site has positive qualities that cannot be overlooked. A quirky “test your Shakespearian IQ” link was offered, but conveniently unavailable. (Last Updated April 30, 2000.) Grade: C- -Melissa Wagner
The site is great once you get past the pink! The claim of “homepage” here is far from a let down. Many factors point to a successful site. First, quick, complete, yet brief synopses are available for all 37 plays. All Shakespearian sonnets are easy to read and effectively numbered. The access to all acts and scenes of all the plays along with the rarely found eulogy and other poetry Shakespeare wrote are enough to make this site first-class, but there’s more. Quotes, glossary, and controversy pages also add tremendously to the site. Interactivity is encouraged through the site’s links to Shakespeare events, calendar, photo gallery, and reviews sections. Also the in-site links make moving about the site easy. My advice is for the site to loose the cheesy cartoons and stick to what works-easy access information. Grade: A- Melissa Wagner
“William Shakespeare-Biography and Works”
The website which includes links to the tragedies, the comedies, the histories, and the poetry could stand on its own. However, this site is part of “The Literature Network” offering pages on everyone from Shakespeare to Wordsworth and even links to the Bible. A fair amount of information and background is offered on the main Shakespeare page. It is mostly biographical with a minimal timeline. Again each link to Shakespeare’s works comes with a complete summary and actual text sorted by act and scene number. The “related links” section of only three selections is somewhat disappointing. However, they offer direct connection to Shakespearian quotes, essays on Shakespeare, and “Tales from Shakespeare” by Charles Lamb. The site is simple, literary-sound with a balanced appearance. Grade: B+ Melissa Wagner
This is a visual aid to Shakespeare’s plays. There are alphabetical listings of plays and the paintings included in the site. Included under each play listing, there are various paintings that were inspired by specific scenes and characters. Some paintings even include lines that served as inspiration for the artists. This is an interesting way to gain a visual understanding of Shakespeare’s plays and see concrete evidence between the worlds of art and literature. -Joy Beurrier
It had an introduction to the website and a bunch of information pertinent to the Will's timeframe. Also gave a list of links to artists who have captured some of the scenes from Will's works. -Lacy Emmerling
Shakespeare and the Players (no longer available)
For anyone having problems thinking of costume ideas, this is the site for you. There is a large collection of postcards featuring actors that have starred in Shakespearian productions from the mid nineteenth century to the early twentieth. The cards are conveniently arranged by Play, Player, or Character, making them easier to search. The site also includes short biographies of the actors and production histories of the plays. -Joy Beurrier
“Internet Shakespeare” is aesthetically pleasing. The site is extensive and impressive, boasting eye-catching graphics and excellent usage of icons. In addition to many quality links, scholarly essays are also contained on pages that are easy to navigate. -Danielle Whaley
“Poetry of William Shakespeare” (no longer available)
“Poetry of William Shakespeare” sets a memorable tone. When the home page is opened, soothing strands of music provide a clever accompaniment to the poems of the Bard. The site is visually stunning, and when one clicks on “the sonnets” link, “At Last” by Etta James begins to play. Dramatic photos of flowers provide an elegant backdrop to the words of Shakespeare. The design is inventive and the layout is varied and intriguing. -Danielle Whaley
"Falcon Education Link Homepage and Shakespeare Resource" (no longer available)
The author claims to be an English teacher who has set up this site to aid in the dissection of Hamlet and Macbeth. The website is thorough in giving a play by play breakdown of the plays, yet the author uses so much sarcasm that he seems to be humoring himself more than providing a teaching aid. He constantly jokes about the actions within the play, which takes away from the overall purpose. -Jessica English
This website contains several links to quotes, study guides, and trivia on Shakespeare and his plays. The quotes are extensive and labeled by play, act, and scene. There are study guides for ten plays (some that we are studying). The guides include characters, character analysis, plot summary, and commentary (that includes explanations of quotes). The trivia consists of facts (some of which are very interesting), frequently asked questions, a timeline, a quiz, and a link to films. I did find one conflicting element but it seemed to be a typo that was correct on the timeline link. Otherwise, the site was helpful and interesting. -Jessica English
This site contains a few study guides, essays, and links to other sites. I didn’t spend a great deal of time here, because it seemed similar to the sites listed above except this seemed more like the "lite" version. I give it a 5. -Sandy Roddenberry
This website gives texts of criticisms from authors closer to the 19th Century. It helps in evaluating how critics' opinions have changed over the years. -Todd Parrish
This website is home to a number of links which deal with literary criticism of Shakespeare. It contains links to the individual works of Shakespeare, and links to critics websites. -Todd Parrish
The Complete Works of William
Shakespeare.
This site offers little more than online versions of Shakespeare's works.
The site includes an announcement that disk failure has resulted in the need for
a restoration of the site and that additional services to supplement the website
such as a search engine and forum will "return shortly." This
announcement, however, was posted to the site on November 13, 2000, meaning
restoration is obviously taking longer than expected. The site did offer a
link to another website containing more valuable information. -Laura Tomashek
It's broken down into a bunch of different sections that give you everything from links to his works to reviews of festivals and plays based on his works. There is even a student help/queries section. It wasn't too bad, but it seemed a little gimmicky. -Lacy Emmerling
Shakespeare's Globe Research Database
Shakespeare's Globe Research Database -- gives a history and links for info on the Globe -- has a section dedicated to the rebuilding of the globe and provides sketches and designs of the theatre. -Lacy Emmerling
www.bardweb.com (no longer available)
This website is also good source of the many websites available on the internet. This site is similar to "Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet," but it seems a little better organized. I give this one a 10 as a gateway site. -Sandy Roddenberry
last updated: 10/04