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Shakespeare's England
Illustrated with paintings, drawings, and engravings of the period
When William Shakespeare was about twenty, his life changed forever. He left Stratford and walked to London, where, in time, he became the world's greatest playwright.
Here is Shakespeare's little-told story, presented against the colorful tapestry of his England, the kingdom under Elizabeth I and James I. In the reigns of those monarchs, the nation was emerging from centuries of medieval turmoil. The small island that had changed so little since the Norman Conquest of 1066 suddenly became a center of international adventure, political experimentation, and artistic development.
Young Shakespeare was fortunate to be in England. The first professional theater opened in London in 1576; he arrived, stage-struck and in search of a job, around 1587. He retired to Stratford a wealthy gentleman in 1611, only a generation before the theaters of England were closed by the Puritans. During Shakespeare's London years, England seethed with plots and intrigue and throbbed with pageantry; everywhere a writer looked was a scene to fire his imagination. Like Sir Walter Raleigh and other daring contemporaries, William Shakespeare was, indeed, an Elizabethan who took advantage of his time.
When William Shakespeare was about twenty, his life changed forever. He left Stratford and walked to London, where, in time, he became the world's greatest playwright.
Here is Shakespeare's little-told story, presented against the colorful tapestry of his England, the kingdom under Elizabeth I and James I. In the reigns of those monarchs, the nation was emerging from centuries of medieval turmoil. The small island that had changed so little since the Norman Conquest of 1066 suddenly became a center of international adventure, political experimentation, and artistic development.
Young Shakespeare was fortunate to be in England. The first professional theater opened in London in 1576; he arrived, stage-struck and in search of a job, around 1587. He retired to Stratford a wealthy gentleman in 1611, only a generation before the theaters of England were closed by the Puritans. During Shakespeare's London years, England seethed with plots and intrigue and throbbed with pageantry; everywhere a writer looked was a scene to fire his imagination. Like Sir Walter Raleigh and other daring contemporaries, William Shakespeare was, indeed, an Elizabethan who took advantage of his time.
154 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1964
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 25, 2018
A short introduction to Shakespeare's life. Some background about England's politics, but not as much about Shakespeare's England as the title seems to promise.
December 3, 2017
Very Basic Information, Informal Style
Written in a style more in keeping with Wikipedia than a scholarly tome. No new information or insights and very sketchy in details. For someone wanting a very basic understanding of Shakespeare’s life, this book is acceptable, but there are many others available that provide a richer portrait.
Written in a style more in keeping with Wikipedia than a scholarly tome. No new information or insights and very sketchy in details. For someone wanting a very basic understanding of Shakespeare’s life, this book is acceptable, but there are many others available that provide a richer portrait.
December 16, 2017
I enjoyed this short and readable book about Shakespeare’s life and times. Well worth the dollar I paid for it on kindle.
January 24, 2018
This one came straight from the bargain bin. Less than a $1, but provided much more in terms of information and reading enjoyment. Elizabethan England was an interesting period in history with the rising power of the puritans who blamed the theatre for everything from spreading the plaque to the breakdown in public morals so the survival and prospering of the theatre and the world's greatest playwright makes interesting. It is not a great book in my opinion, otherwise it would cost more that one dollar, but I liked it and believe I have filed information away for future reference.
November 30, 2017
A good read
It is good history, but very little depiction of Shakespeare's life. Even though the author explains the difficulty of accurate portrayal of playwright 's life, we, as readers, still expected more.
It is good history, but very little depiction of Shakespeare's life. Even though the author explains the difficulty of accurate portrayal of playwright 's life, we, as readers, still expected more.
February 8, 2018
Shakespeare supplemental
A good look into the life and times of Shakespeare. Informative but brief.
This was a transformative period in the history of the Western European world. The book provides a bit of insight into that time.
A good look into the life and times of Shakespeare. Informative but brief.
This was a transformative period in the history of the Western European world. The book provides a bit of insight into that time.
November 16, 2020
A good introduction to the cultural context for Shakespeare's plays, going over the basics. I would say it is probably written to junior high level. Information includes a gloss over Williams Shakespeare's biography, Elizabethan drama, Queen Elizabeth, the design of the Globe, the first folio.
January 17, 2018
A very nice, easy-to-read overview. Recommended.
May 20, 2018
Short but enlightening
Learned a lot. Short, easy read. I refuse to do fourteen more words, i did all I wanted to do
Learned a lot. Short, easy read. I refuse to do fourteen more words, i did all I wanted to do
January 3, 2017
A concise and accessible read. Since I've read a few Shakespearean biographies already, this one wasn't particularly revelatory; however, as a brief but comprehensive overview of the Bard's life and times, it served as a useful review before I jump back into Hamlet with my students this month. I especially enjoyed the passages about the history of The Globe and the customs of Elizabethan acting companies.
January 25, 2017
Louis Wright has written a concise treatment of Shakespeare and his age. There is an insightful review of Elizabeth I and her reign. The author shares the context in which some of Shakespeare's plays were written. Ben Johnson's tribute to Shakespeare is so true, "He was not of an age, but for all time."
December 13, 2016
High level review of Shakespeare's life.
An interesting snapshot of Elizabethan times and the life of the playwright. A good introduction to his life, but requires further reading if you have anything other than a passing interest.
An interesting snapshot of Elizabethan times and the life of the playwright. A good introduction to his life, but requires further reading if you have anything other than a passing interest.
December 25, 2016
Great story of a great man
I totally enjoyed this portrait of a man who painted pictures with his words. The book tells the story of England during Shakespeare's life. A must read for historians.
I totally enjoyed this portrait of a man who painted pictures with his words. The book tells the story of England during Shakespeare's life. A must read for historians.
January 12, 2017
Concise fun read
Very enjoyable for a short biography. It is too bad that more is not none about such an important historical figure.
Very enjoyable for a short biography. It is too bad that more is not none about such an important historical figure.
February 26, 2020
A good, albeit short, summary of life in Shakespearean London.
June 3, 2018
Engaging History
This is a wonderfully concise historical background to Shakespeare's life and times. History is not my favorite reading topic however I found it clear and informative. The attitude of ancient administrators to theatre and actors was puzzling to me coming from an era where they are raised on pedestals to the status of visiting royalty. This book should be mandatory reading in all English Literature/Shakespeare classes.
This is a wonderfully concise historical background to Shakespeare's life and times. History is not my favorite reading topic however I found it clear and informative. The attitude of ancient administrators to theatre and actors was puzzling to me coming from an era where they are raised on pedestals to the status of visiting royalty. This book should be mandatory reading in all English Literature/Shakespeare classes.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews