Nine Lives of William Shakespeare (Shakespeare Now!) - Hardcover

Holderness, Graham

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1441151850 ISBN 13: 9781441151858

Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic, 2011

Synopsis

Acclaimed as the greatest dramatist of all time, William Shakespeare needs little introduction. Or does he? Going beyond Shakespeare the writer and actor, Graham Holderness explores the fact and fiction, tradition and myth, surrounding Shakespeare's life.

Combining biography and fictional narrative, Holderness takes a fresh critical approach to the problem of piecing together a definitive account of Shakespeare's life and work from scant historical information. Instead, this study builds upon and examines the many theories that surround the life of this well-known, yet remarkably unknown man. Nine Shakespeares are presented: writer, player, butcher boy, businessman, husband, friend, lover, Catholic and portrait. By carefully critiquing these biographies and reimagining these nine men, Nine Lives of William Shakespeare creates a unique picture of how this playwright became Shakespeare as he is understood today.

Shakespeare Now! is a series of short books that engage imaginatively and often provocatively with the possibilities of Shakespeare's plays. It goes back to the source - the most living language imaginable - and recaptures the excitement, audacity and surprise of Shakespeare. It will return you to the plays with opened eyes.

About this title

Book Description:

Who was Shakespeare and how did he live? Combining fact, tradition and imagination, Shakespeare's many lives are told in nine possible ways.

About the Author:

Graham Holderness is Professor of English at the University of Hertfordshire, author or editor of numerous studies in early modern and modern literature and drama, and General Editor of the peer-reviewed journal Critical Survey. He is also a creative writer, novelist and award-winning poet.

About this edition

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Publication date: 2011
• ISBN 10: 1441151850
• ISBN 13: 9781441151858
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 240