Synopsis
Profiles the life and work of William Shakespeare.
Karen Leggett - Children's Literature
Had there been no bubonic plague, there might also be no Shakespeare sonnets. This is the type of interesting connection that is made in this biography between the life of Shakespeare and the times in which he lived. Because the plague was quite contagious, performances in theatres were outlawed in 1592 so Shakespeare turned to telling stories through poetry. We also learn that even though Shakespeare wrote plays that are now studied in college, Shakespeare himself had only a basic grammar school education. Much of his early life is based on conjecture—a presumption that he had traveled to Italy, for example, because his plays show a significant knowledge of Italian cities. As a way of providing a valuable lesson in researching, the author explains where there are documents that prove a specific fact and where parts of Shakespeare's life and experience can only be surmised. This is an interesting and very readable biography. There is a brief "life at a glance" table, additional resources (books, websites and museums) as well as a short glossary, source notes and a good index. It is part of the well-documented "Signature Lives—Renaissance Era" series. 2005, Compass Point Books, Ages 10 to 15.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Had there been no bubonic plague, there might also be no Shakespeare sonnets. This is the type of interesting connection that is made in this biography between the life of Shakespeare and the times in which he lived. Because the plague was quite contagious, performances in theatres were outlawed in 1592 so Shakespeare turned to telling stories through poetry. We also learn that even though Shakespeare wrote plays that are now studied in college, Shakespeare himself had only a basic grammar school education. Much of his early life is based on conjecture—a presumption that he had traveled to Italy, for example, because his plays show a significant knowledge of Italian cities. As a way of providing a valuable lesson in researching, the author explains where there are documents that prove a specific fact and where parts of Shakespeare's life and experience can only be surmised. This is an interesting and very readable biography. There is a brief "life at a glance" table, additional resources (books, websites and museums) as well as a short glossary, source notes and a good index. It is part of the well-documented "Signature Lives—Renaissance Era" series. 2005, Compass Point Books, Ages 10 to 15.—Karen Leggett