Simply Shakespeare actively engages students in understanding and appreciating Shakespeare's language and intricate stagecraft.

Written in a straightforward, engaging style, the text avoids the “dumbing-down,” popular-culture approach to Shakespeare as well as the elevated academic style written for other academics rather than students. Rather, Simply Shakespeare emphasizes how to read and watch Shakespeare for comprehension and enjoyment.

An organization and layout that uses “test cases,” boxed material, bulleted lists, illustrations, chapter overviews, end-of-chapter assignments, background material, glossary, web resources, and more makes the text especially accessible for students.