Folk-lore of Shakespeare

Delving into the world that inspired Shakespeare, this volume untangles the web of superstitions, customs and creatures that pepper his dramas. By arranging material into clear sections—fairies, witches, ghosts, folk‑medicine, calendar rites and more—the author shows how the Bard’s vivid stage pictures were drawn from everyday folklore and the scholarly knowledge of his time. Readers discover why tiny elves and mischievous sprites felt as familiar to Elizabethan audiences as kings and queens, and how those beliefs shaped the language and themes that still haunt us today.

The work balances lively excerpts from the plays with scholarly commentary, offering a snapshot of 16th‑century life without venturing beyond the first act of the stories it surveys. Whether you’re curious about the origins of Puck’s mischief, the rituals surrounding birth and burial, or the riddles of demonology, the book provides a concise, engaging guide that brings Shakespeare’s cultural backdrop to life.