Shakespeare and the Italian Renaissance (Classic Reprint) - Hardcover

Sir Sidney Lee

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0365215384 ISBN 13: 9780365215387

Publisher: Forgotten Books, 2018

Synopsis

The book explores how the Italian Renaissance shaped Shakespeare and English literature.

It draws a clear line from Italian culture, poetry, and philosophy to the humanist spirit that informs Shakespeare’s work, from his use of Italian plots to the broader idea of beauty, life, and reason that defined the era.

This volume traces a long, interconnected story: how Italy safeguarded and revived classical learning, how Florentine Platonists influenced new thought, and how English writers absorbed these currents. It shows how translators and travelers carried Italian ideas across Europe, shaping drama, prose, and science.

• How Italian authors like Ariosto, Tasso, Petrarch, and Bandello influenced English poetry and drama.
• Connections between Shakespeare’s plays and Italian sources, including Romeo and Juliet, Twelfth Night, Othello, and Measure for Measure.
• The roles of figures such as Bruno, Bembo, and Sidney in bridging Italian humanism with English culture.

Ideal for readers of Shakespeare, Renaissance history, and literary studies who want a concise, accessible view of cross‑cultural influence and the enduring idea that beauty and humanism fueled a turning point in Western thought.

Edition details

• Publisher: Forgotten Books
• Publication date: 2018
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0365215384
• ISBN 13: 9780365215387
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 35