Writing for a small troupe of men and boys who performed on an almost bare stage, William Shakespeare dramatized an unparalleled range of stories and emotions through his wizardry with words, his uncanny understanding of the human spirit, and his genius for maximizing the talents of his actors. Working under conditions that today we would consider primitive, he made himself into the supreme playwright. Exactly how did Shakespeare achieve his effects? Why does he continue to enthrall audiences performance after performance, night after night, century after century? Can we learn from the secrets of his success? By concentrating on a dozen of his best-known plays (though others receive attention, too), and analysing their structural and theatrical elements as well as their distinctive language, inventive plotting and unique characters, this book demystifies Shakespeare for all theatre lovers. With its down-to-earth and jargon-free approach, Why Shakespeare enables us to step behind the curtain to learn "Why Shakespeare" is considered the greatest dramatist of all time.