Unlike most academic books on Shakespeare, In The Theater of Love doesn’t assume or require any familiarity with Elizabethan history, Renaissance philosophy, or literary theory. Instead, it has two very simple goals: first, make the plays understandable; second, indicate why the man and his works are exceptional and still worth reading. After all, Shakespeare was at the Globe to make money, so he wrote for the merchants, the apprentices and housewives of London, not just for the literary elite. Because he wanted all of them to appreciate their lives but also to see better ways to live it, he spoke about common experiences from a perspective they could understand, enjoy, but also learn from.  Yes, he wasn’t perfect, but he challenged them to look at themselves honestly, to laugh at their foolishness, to see their errors, and to accept what made them good and lovable. Each chapter begins with a brief plot summary to provide context for an explanation of what Shakespeare was saying and why he thought it was important. A consummate storyteller, he fearlessly confronts those inevitable but troubling questions raised by desire and love, good and evil, right living and judgment.  Not only will you discover he’s a journey worth taking but also why the great literature these plays represent still matters.