The Concise Encyclopedic Guide to Shakespeare by Michael Rheta Martin; Richard C. HarrierCall Number: PR2892 .M39
ISBN: 0818011599
This handy guide does indeed have concise entries of plays (with synopses and other factual information) as well as characters of plays, but it is primarily useful as a keyword index to the plays and sonnets. Look up a word and fin its meaning or a quotation in which it is used, along with an identification of the play (or Sonnet), act and scene. Also contained here are appendices concerning Shakepear's Life and Theater, critics, scholars, actors, actresses, directors, producers, 20th century productions, music, a discography, a bibliography and genealogical charts of the English Royal Family.