Word Traitors

From admiration, admonishment and adventure to vicious, vulgar and zany, this A-Z guide is full of fascinating facts and enlightening definitions that will help readers to learn more about the language Shakespeare used, ultimately encouraging a better understanding his plays and poems.

Entertaining, informative and accessible, Word Traitors introduces Shakespeare's false friends - words that don't mean what they seem to mean today, to modern eyes and ears - showing their most frequently encountered instances, explaining their etymology and current meaning, and illustrating their use from over 300 characters taken from all Shakespeare's plays.

With over 170 alphabetical entries featuring the word in question, its modern-day meaning, historical meaning, and examples from the plays, this is an ideal companion for anyone, actors and readers alike, wanting to deepen their appreciation of the work of William Shakespeare.

'Why, what a brood of traitors have we here!'
Clifford in Henry VI Part 2

Foreword by Sir Gregory Doran, Artistic Director, Royal Shakespeare Company (2012-2022)