Asimov's Guide To Shakespeare, Vols. 1 2 by Isaac Asimov

A two-volume companion that walks readers through each of Shakespeare’s plays with concise plot summaries, scene-by-scene commentary, and clear explanations of historical, classical, biblical and topical references; it decodes archaic language, allusions and cultural background to make characters, themes and jokes accessible to modern readers while connecting the dramas to their sources and contexts.