|
|
Sold Out
Book Categories |
"Shakespeare was born in Stratford on 23 April 1564 and died in the same English country town on the same date in 1616. His Stratford friends were his friends for life. He worked in the theatre, acting in the early London Playhouses and touring and writing plays for a series of companies including The Queen's Men, The Lord Chamberlain's Men and The King's Men." Peter Ackroyd places him within the landscape of his time. He walks with the reader through sixteenth-century Stratford and sixteenth-century London like a native of that century. He is enthralled by the theatrical world, as if he were sitting with the Elizabethan audience and seeing the plays at the instant of their first performance. He writes about Shakespeare the actor, playwright and poet, and also about his circle of patrons and managers, actors and fellow writers, and about their 'unity of feeling'. He not only conjures up the texture of Shakespeare's time, but also imparts an immense amount of detail about place, period and background.
| Price | Condition | Delivery | Seller | Action |
| $99.99 | Digital |
| WonderClub |
Mark Ayles
reviewed Shakespeare: The Biography on August 18, 2017 Shakespeare: The Biography
Very worthwhile book on Shakespeare! Although he is still 'the mystery man', the author has researched the era, his family, theatre life, religious differences and the locales of London and Stratford and presents the known facts'as well as the gaping holes'as Shakespeare's life unfolds.
It is not difficult to see, thanks to Ackroyd's explanations, why Shakespeare remains such an elusive figure.
There are reasons. It was a dangerous time for one, especially with respect to which side of the religious street you happened to be standing on when. England went back and forth between Catholic, Protestant, back to Catholic and then finally to remain Protestant all in less than 50 years'the span of one man's lifetime. Who knew if that might change again?
Shakespeare's own father suffered most of his life for his determination to hang on to the 'Old Faith''something which could have made his son more cautious in allowing himself private beliefs and thoughts much less being forthright about them.
Ackroyd also gave the ins and outs of the dangers inherent in theatre life, something still novel in late 16th, early 17th Century Britain. The risks were greatest for playwrights, who might write something heretical or treasonous, intentionally or no. Shakespeare's contemporary and competitor, Christopher Marlowe, died at 29 (stabbed to death) under mysterious circumstances, something which no doubt would have affected WS.
Shakespeare's own death at 53 in Stratford-on-Avon was unremarkable and unattended except for family and some friends. Even his cause of death remains a mystery. For such a great man, so much remains conjecture. And yet, we love his words and it is those we know so well!
Ackroyd focuses on the plays, characters, and memorable dialogue throughout, something akin to a tour through a bakery. Let me out of here or let me eat one of everything! At least…!
Most enjoyable and most frustrating! Bring on those plays…!
==============================================
October 1, 2017: We are almost finished! One CD (out of 16) left. Normally audiobooks don't take us so long. This one has taken longer, no doubt because of our frequent breaks for discussion. Dear husband has no familiarity with Shakespeare which has led to many interesting conversations. Also, the CDs are very long so we are reluctant to start another unless early in evening.
August 18, 2017: I am a fan of Ackroyd bios... Have been wanting to read this one on the Bard for a long time.
Login|Complaints|Blog|Games|Digital Media|Souls|Obituary|Contact Us|FAQ
CAN'T FIND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR? CLICK HERE!!! X
You must be logged in to add to WishlistX
This item is in your Wish List
X
This item is in your Collection
Shakespeare: The Biography
X
This Item is in Your Inventory
Shakespeare: The Biography
X
You must be logged in to review the productsX
X
X
Add Shakespeare: The Biography, Shakespeare was born in Stratford on 23 April 1564 and died in the same English country town on the same date in 1616. His Stratford friends were his friends for life. He worked in the theatre, acting in the early London Playhouses and touring and writin, Shakespeare: The Biography to the inventory that you are selling on WonderClubX
X
Add Shakespeare: The Biography, Shakespeare was born in Stratford on 23 April 1564 and died in the same English country town on the same date in 1616. His Stratford friends were his friends for life. He worked in the theatre, acting in the early London Playhouses and touring and writin, Shakespeare: The Biography to your collection on WonderClub |
