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Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare
by Stephen Greenblatt
Biographies & Memoirs
Arts & Literature
Authors
Theatre
Literature & Fiction
Dramas & Plays
Shakespeare
History & Criticism
Movements & Periods
Report Poor Quality
Table of Contents
Top
Summary
Chapter Summaries
Chapter 1: Primal Scenes
Chapter 2: The Dream of Restoration
Chapter 3: The Great Fear
Chapter 4: Wooing, Wedding, and Repenting
Chapter 5: Crossing the Bridge
Chapter 6: Life in the Suburbs
Chapter 7: Shakescene
Chapter 8: Master-Mistress
Chapter 9: Laughter at the Scaffold
Chapter 10: Speaking with the Dead
Chapter 11: Bewitching the King
Chapter 12: The Triumph of the Everyday
Key Takeaways
Shakespeare's Stratford upbringing shaped his imagination and ambition.
Shakespeare's "Lost Years" possibly involved a Lancashire sojourn and exposure to religious tensions.
Shakespeare's marriage to Anne Hathaway was complicated and possibly unsatisfying.
Shakespeare navigated a competitive London theater scene marked by rivalries and tensions.
Shakespeare's portrayal of Shylock reflects anxieties about prejudice and social exclusion.
Shakespeare's writing reflects a deep awareness of grief and loss.
Shakespeare explores abuses of power and social injustice.
Shakespeare's portrayal of his characters' inner lives is unparalleled.
Shakespeare was a successful businessman as well as a playwright.
Shakespeare's retirement to Stratford was a return to his roots.
Questions
Unraveling the Enigma: What were Shakespeare's mysterious "Lost Years," and what clues do they offer about his life?
Beyond the Stage: What secrets lie hidden in Shakespeare's marriage to Anne Hathaway?
Family Ties: How did Shakespeare's parents, John and Mary, impact his development and ambitions?
Matters of Faith: What role did religion, particularly Catholicism, play in Shakespeare's life and work?
London Calling: How did the vibrant city of London, with its theater scene and social dynamics, contribute to Shakespeare's metamorphosis?
A Clash of Titans: How did Shakespeare's rivalry with Christopher Marlowe ignite his creative fire?
Patronage and Passion: What secrets lie hidden in Shakespeare's relationship with the Earl of Southampton?
Whispers of the Heart: What secrets do Shakespeare's sonnets reveal about his innermost thoughts and feelings?
The Road Home: What motivated Shakespeare's retirement to Stratford, and what does it reveal about his evolving priorities?
A Fiery Farewell: How did the burning of the Globe Theatre impact Shakespeare's life and career?
Summary
Chapter Summaries
Key Takeaways
Questions