by Stanley Wells

In this new offering from Stanley Wells, the pre-eminent Shakespearian scholar, comes a Very Short Introduction to the life and writings of the world's greatest and best-known dramatists: William Shakespeare.

Looking at his early life and education, Wells explores Shakespeare's social and intellectual background and the literary traditions on which Shakespeare drew. Examining the theatres and theatrical profession of the time, he also considers how Shakespeare experienced this world, both as an actor and as a writer.

Examining Shakespeare's narrative poems, sonnets, and all of his plays, Wells outlines their sources, style, and originality over the course of Shakespeare's career, to consider the fundamental impact his work has had for subsequent generations. Written with enthusiasm and flair by a scholar who has devoted a lifetime to the study of Shakespeare and his works, this is an engaging and authoritative introduction.

Contents:

Preface: Why Shakespeare?
1. Shakespeare and Stratford-upon-Avon
2. Theatre in Shakespeare's time
3. Shakespeare in London
4. Plays of the 1590s
5. Shakespeare and comic form
6. Return to tragedy
7. The classical plays
8. Tragi-comedy
Epilogue
Chronology: Shakespeare's works
Further reading
Index