The Age of Shakespeare

<p><b>''The greatest literary scholar of his generation'' (Independent) explains how the history of the Elizabethan era is the backdrop to William Shakespeare and his plays.</b><br><br>Shakespeare made his unique contribution to British and world culture in the midst of Elizabeth''s great reign. <br><br>Here, the circumstances of each play''s composition are acutely described, and set within a masterful portrait of Shakespeare''s England - its early capitalism, its court, its bursting population, and its epidemics, as well as its arts - including, of course, its theatre. <br><br>An important, lasting, and concise companion to Shakespeare''s time.</p>