Books in Backgrounds to Shakespeare series

Providing important context for his greatest works, Shakespeare's Life presents a thorough biography of the Bard, featuring the latest findings from scholars about his life and his works. Included is coverage of his upbringing in Stratford, his marriage and family life, the process of writing his greatest works, and his life after the theater.Coverage includes: -His early years in Stratford, including his marriage to Anne Hathaway -His rise to stardom within the London theater scene -The death of his nine-year-old son, Hamnet -The writing of his greatest works, including Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Macbeth, and others -His retirement from the theater and move back to Stratford -And much more.

An engaging, illustrated overview, Culture and Society in Shakespeare's Day gives valuable historical context to Shakespeare's works, explaining what daily life was like in the country, in the city, and among the nobility, since all of these settings feature prominently in his plays. Major events from the time period, including the exploration of the New World and the clashes between the British Navy and the Spanish Armada, add important perspective for students studying Shakespeare and his varied works.Coverage includes:-Catholicism -Rituals of birth, marriage, and death -The universities -Folklore, superstition, and witchcraft -Puritanism -Crime -Plague -Medicine -The Spanish Armada -Exploration of the New World -The Gunpowder Plot -And much more.

Literature and the Theater in Shakespeare's Day provides students with the background information they need to fully understand the conditions under which Shakespeare produced his masterpieces. Topics examined in this volume include The Globe Theater, the system of patronage that supported writers, and the important actors and playwrights of the time that influenced Shakespeare's writing.Coverage includes: -Major writers of Shakespeare's time, including Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Nashe, and Ben Jonson -The Globe and other London theaters -The system of patronage that supported writers -And much more.