Overview
Shakespeare's Books contains nearly 200 entries covering the full range
of literature Shakespeare was acquainted with, including classical,
historical, religious and contemporary works. The dictionary covers
works whose importance to Shakespeare has emerged more clearly in recent
years due to new research, as well as explaining current thinking on
long-recognized sources such as Plutarch, Ovid, Holinshed, Ariosto and
Montaigne. Entries for all major sources include surveys of the writer's
place in Shakespeare's time, detailed discussion of their relation to
his work, and full bibliography. These are enhanced by sample passages
from early modern England writers, together with reproductions of pages
from the original texts. Now available in paperback with a new preface
bringing the book up to date, this is an invaluable reference tool.