The Encyclopedia Americana: A Library of Universal Knowledge, Volume 24

Ronald Han
English 79A
Dr. Radley• I found this book on Google books and selected it because it was an encyclopedia with its own section specifically on the topic of Shakespeare’s Sonnets.
• The encyclopedia basically gives background information about Shakespeare and his sonnets, and provides its own analytical interpretation of the sonnets. Its angle of perspective in the commentary about the sonnets reflect its doubt about whether or not the sonnets are purely imaginative or in fact reflect autobiographical incidents from Shakespeare’s own life.
• The author of the section on Shakespeare in the encyclopedia is Raymond M. Alden, Professor of English at Stanford University, who has recently passed away.
• Raymond M. Alden has published many papers regarding literature, but has never published any books of his own.
• This encyclopedia does not contain a substantial bibliography.
• This encyclopedia does not have any book reviews.
• The section on Shakespeare’s Sonnets in the encyclopedia does provide a broad overview/commentary on the subject matter. It provides biographical information about both Shakespeare and Sonnets. It then analyzes the sonnets, focusing on themes, the arrangement of the sonnets, and verse forms. The encyclopedia then goes on to focus on the actual content of the sonnets, bring up examples of various sonnets and providing its own interpretation of what is actually occurring throughout the 154 sonnets.
• This book was published in 1919. It is Volume 24, part of an illustrious and long-lasting encyclopedic brand. I chose this book because it was one of few encyclopedias that provided detailed information about Shakespeare’s sonnets.
• Alden, Raymond M. "Shakespeare's Sonnets." The Encyclopedia America: A Library of Universal Knowledge. Vol. 24. New York and London: Encyclopedia Americana Corporation, 1919. 652-54. Print.