There is nothing middle-of-the-road about William Shakespeare. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in English and perhaps the greatest dramatist of all time. More than 2.5 million people visit annually his birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, and his plays are performed daily all over the world. And yet, despite Shakespeare's stature and despite his nearly universal acclaim, his plays often return to the themes of mediocrity and moderation. Shakespeare shows us the tragedy of resisting the middle way—of flying too high or too low—and the merits and at times the toll of an in-between state.

  In this brisk, captivating study, Stephen Dobranski guides readers through a range of Shakespeare's plays, illuminating their topical and timeless lessons about striving for mediocrity. Histories about Henry V, Richard II, and Richard III point the way toward a productive political middle, while Hamlet depicts the difficulty of moderation in the midst of uncertainty. And whereas Othello and Romeo and Juliet illustrate the danger of loving too much, Macbeth and Coriolanus offer powerful warnings about toxic masculinity. Again and again, Shakespeare—an artist who himself dared to overreach—delves into the disastrous consequences of characters who suffer from extremes, and the successes and sacrifices of other characters who navigate a mean. Focusing on love, art, gender, and justice, this book examines what Shakespeare can teach us about the rewards and risks of seeking moderation, of being extraordinarily, triumphantly middling.