IST 605: Shakespeare's Lit!

"—you shall seek all day ere you find them..." --Bassanio, Merchant of Venice, Act One, scene one

Shakespeare, W. (1604). Title page of Hamlet, second quarto (Hamlet Q2 TP 1604) [Photograph of title page]. Wikimedia Commons. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hamlet_Q2_TP_1604.jpg
 

Searching for Shakespeare can be overwhelming. Here are some helpful strategies when conducting research.

Strategies for Searching Library Catalogs

Use your school or public library's catalog when searching for books, eBooks, and other resources.

1. Start with keywords.

• Search for something easy, like Shakespeare or Romeo and Juliet.
• Use these search results to come up with other keywords.

2. Use filters.

• Do you want a physical book? An eBook or audiobook? Select the format that will work best for you. 
• Adjust the publication dates as needed. 

3. Check for availability.

• For physical books, write down the call number so that you can find the book in the library.
• For eBooks or articles, check if you can view or read the book online.
• Some catalogs may have a filter you can apply, which will then only show materials that are available to you.

4.  Check your source.

• It's never a bad idea to take the time to do a simple search to see that the source of the text is credible.  

5. Ask your librarian. 

• If you're feeling stuck or overwhelmed, ask your librarian. They will be happy to help!

Database and Search Engine Strategies

Use databases to search for scholarly articles, various types of magazines, and other more academic resources. Search engines like Google Scholar have Advanced Search features that can also help you find relevant sources. 

1. Start broad, then narrow.

• Begin with a general search term (see below), then see which other keywords you can find from that search. Example: Shakespeare
• When you have more keywords, you can be more specific. Example: Elizabethan theatre

2. Use keywords, not questions.

• Don't type out a full question; use keywords. Example: Instead of typing What are the major themes in As You Like It? try "As You Like It" themes instead.

3. Boolean Operators and Advanced Search.

• Use these techniques in Google Scholar and other databases (For a list of databases, click on the Databases page).
• Use quotation marks around exact phrases. Example: "As You Like It"
• Use AND to narrow your search when you want results with both terms. Example: "As You Like It" AND gender
• Think of synonyms for your search terms. Example: Think of some synonyms of the word "gender." 
• Use OR to broaden your search. Example: "As You Like It" AND gender OR femininity

4. Keep scrolling!

• Sometimes the best results are hidden on the second or third pages. Don't just settle for the first ten results.

5. Use filters.

• Choose your format (books, article, EBooks).
• Narrow your dates. Use the date range to find the latest texts on the subject.
• Choose the language in which the texts should be written. 

6. Check for good sources. 

• Sites ending in .edu and .gov are generally reputable. You can usually apply a filter for this ("Site or domain" on Google Advanced Search).
• Select "peer-reviewed" or "scholarly" in database searches.
• Do an author search. Are they considered a reputable source?

7. Ask your librarian.

• When in doubt, ask your librarian. They will be happy to help!

Keywords and Search Terms

General Search Terms

• Shakespeare
• Shakespeare's works
• William Shakespeare biography
• Shakespeare's sonnets
• Elizabethan Era
• Shakespeare quotes
• Shakespeare histories
• Shakespeare comedies
• Shakespeare tragedies
• Shakespeare criticism 
• Shakespeare analysis
• Themes in Shakespeare

Works

Note: These are just examples. Replace Romeo and Juliet with the title of the play you are studying

• Romeo and Juliet characters
• Romeo and Juliet summary
• Romeo and Juliet analysis
• Romeo and Juliet themes
• Shakespeare sonnet (type in sonnet #) analysis

Performances

• Free Shakespeare performances online
• Shakespeare screen adaptations
• Watch Shakespeare free online
• Globe Theatre productions
• BBC Television Shakespeare 
• Shakespeare monologue performances

History

• Shakespearean England
• Elizabethan theatre
• Stratford-upon-Avon history
• Tudor England 

Language

• Iambic Pentameter
• Shakespearean phrases
• Modern translations of Shakespeare
• Elizabethan English

Advanced Search Ideas

• "William Shakespeare" AND biography
• "Romeo and Juliet" AND themes
• "Elizabethan England" AND theatre 
• Shakespeare AND feminism
• Hamlet AND soliloquy

Sample Advanced Search