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Detailed description A new study of Shakespeare's life and times, which illuminates our understanding and appreciation of his works. * Combines an accessible fully historicised treatment of both the life and the plays, suited to both undergraduate and popular audiences * Looks at 24 of the most significant plays and the sonnets through the lens of various aspects of Shakespeare's life and historical environment * Addresses four of the most significant issues that shaped Shakespeare's career: education, religion, social status, and theatre * Examines theatre as an institution and the literary environment of early modern London * Explains and dispatches conspiracy theories about authorship
From the contents Note on the Text ix
Acknowledgments xi
Part I The Life 1
1 Who was William Shakespeare? 3
2 Writing 23
3 Religion 47
4 Status 61
5 Theatre 79
Part II The Plays 97
6 Comedies: Shakespeare's Social Life 99
The Comedy of Errors 99
The Taming of the Shrew 108
Love's Labour's Lost 119
A Midsummer Night's Dream 125
The Merchant of Venice 132
Much Ado About Nothing 138
As You Like It 146
Twelfth Night, Or What You Will 153
Measure for Measure 159
7 English and Roman Histories: Shakespeare's Politics 177
