Shakespeare

<p>An original and provocative study of the evolution of Shakespeare's image building on the success of Duncan-Jones' acclaimed biography <i>Shakespeare: An Ungentle Life.</i> Taking a broadly chronological approach she investigates Shakespeare's changing reputation as a man an actor and a poet both from his own viewpoint and from that of his contemporaries. Many different categories of material are explored including printed books manuscripts literary and non-literary sources. Rather than a biography the book is an exploration with biographical elements. The change in public opinion in Shakespeare's time is quite startling: Henry Chettle attacked him as an 'upstart Crow' in 1592 an attack from which Shakespeare sought to defend himself; and yet by the time of the First Folio in 1623 he had become the 'Sweet Swan of Avon!' and was fast becoming the national treasure he remains today.</p><br/><p>This engaging and fascinating study brings the politics and fashions of Shakespeare's literary and theatrical world vividly to life.</p>