Ovid"s epic poem, the Metamorphoses, and its great myths were a source of life-long inspiration to Shakespeare. This book provides a comprehensive examination of Shakespeare"s use of the poem throughout his career: in early works such as Venus and Adonis and Titus Andronicus, works of the middle period such as A Midsummer Night"s Dream and Twelfth Night, and the late plays such as The Winter"s Tale and The Tempest. Drawing on the expertise of leading international scholars, it also includes the first survey of twentieth century criticism and methodology in the field.