This is an invaluable reference to all the characters who appear in English drama from 1500 to 1660. The book indexes well over a thousand printed plays. In addition to characters' names it indexes character types (Dwarf, Gypsy), nationalities (Frenchman, American), military ranks, psychological states (Jealousy, Melancholy), occupations and professions. The accompanying Finding List provides a table of play titles, authors, dates of publication, dates of performance and short-title catalogue numbers. The book is a much revised and expanded version of An Index of Characters in English Printed Drama to the Restoration (1975). This edition indexes the names of characters in 180 plays which no longer survive in print and characters from Latin plays of the period. Further features are an alphabetical list of plays, an index of playwrights and an expanded bibliography.

This is an invaluable reference to all the characters who appear in English drama from 1500, when drama first appeared in print, to 1660. The book indexes well over a thousand printed plays. In addition to characters' names it indexes character types (Dwarf, Gypsy), nationalities, military ranks, psychological states (Jealousy, Melancholy), occupations and professions. The book is a revised and expanded version of An Index to Characters in English Printed Drama to the Restoration (Microcard Editions, 1975).

The paratexts in early modern English playbooks - the materials to be found primarily in their preliminary pages and end matter - provide a rich source of information for scholars interested in Shakespeare, Renaissance drama and the history of the book. In addition, these materials offer valuable insights into the rise of dramatic authorship in print, early modern attitudes towards theatre, notorious literary wrangles and the production of drama both on the stage and in the printing house. This unique two-volume reference is the first to include all paratextual materials in early modern English playbooks, from the emergence of print drama to the closure of the theatres in 1642. The texts have been transcribed from their original versions and presented in old-spelling. With an introduction, user's guide, multiple indices and a finding list, the editors provide a comprehensive overview of seminal texts which have never before been fully transcribed, annotated and cross-referenced.