
WILLIAM - SHAKESPEARE - A CRITICAL STUDY - BY - GEORGE BRANDES - LONDON - WILLIAM HEINEMANN - 1905
A sweeping exploration of Shakespeare’s world opens with a vivid portrait of his early years in Stratford, his marriage, and his move to bustling London. By weaving together social history, contemporary politics, and the playwright’s own ventures on stage, the study paints a believable backdrop for his burgeoning career. Readers gain a sense of how the city’s theatres, costumes, and audiences shaped his early works.
The narrative then turns to his major dramas, tracing the evolution from the spirited comedies of “Much Ado about Nothing” to the brooding tragedies of “Hamlet” and “Richard III.” Themes such as gender dynamics, property, and national identity are examined alongside Shakespeare’s relationship to rival writers like Marlowe. Detailed attention to the sonnets reveals his poetic technique and philosophical influences.
Presented in a clear, conversational style, the work invites listeners to follow the scholar’s reasoning without feeling overwhelmed. It offers a solid foundation for anyone curious about how the playwright’s life, his era, and his artistic choices intertwine to create timeless literature.
Language
en
Duration
~30 hours (1767K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Jens Guld, Dagny & Marc D'Hooghe. (Images generously made available by the Internet Archive.)
Release date
2015-12-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1842–1927
A sharp, influential critic who helped push Scandinavian literature toward realism, debate, and modern ideas. His essays and lectures made him one of the key literary voices in Denmark and across Europe in the late 19th century.
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by Georg Brandes

by Georg Brandes

by Georg Brandes

by Georg Brandes

by Georg Brandes