William Shakespeare (c. 26 April 1564 - 23 April 1616) was an English playwright, renowned by many as the world's greatest writer in the English Language. Among his plays are "Romeo and Juliet", "Hamlet", "Macbeth" to name but a few.

"Kittredge's landmark edition appears now with an insightful and informative introduction to the play, its background and its history on stage and screen, together with excellent suggestions for reading it with performance in mind and commentary on significant productions. I recommend it warmly to readers who are already familiar with the play, as well as to those approaching it for the first time." —Russell Jackson, Professor Emeritus of Drama, University of Birmingham

"An inspired edition of Shakespeare's late masterpiece, larded with riches that are at once accessible and challenging to students of The Tempest . These riches include a masterful introduction that sets forth major and minor characters in all their complexity; great page-for-page textual and performance notes that aptly explain the play's obscurities and showcase the many ways given scenes and speeches have been performed; an enlightening guide to the reading experience—"How to Read the Play as Performance;" and brilliant questions for thought and discussion. Mahon and Mucciolo are the perfect guides through this most wondrous and perplexing play." —Laury Magnus, Professor of Humanities, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy