Backgrounds to Shakespeare Set

Backgrounds in Shakespeare Set comprises three volumes.

An engaging, illustrated overview, Culture and Society in Shakespeare's Day gives valuable historical context to Shakespeare's works, explaining what daily life was like in the country, in the city, and among the nobility, since all of these settings feature prominently in his plays. Major events from the time period, including the exploration of the New World and the clashes between the British Navy and the Spanish Armada, add important perspective for students studying Shakespeare and his varied works.

Literature and the Theater in Shakespeare's Day provides students with the background information they need to fully understand the conditions under which Shakespeare produced his masterpieces. Topics examined in this volume include The Globe Theater, the system of patronage that supported writers, and the important actors and playwrights of the time that influenced Shakespeare's writing.

Providing important context for his greatest works, Shakespeare's Life presents a thorough biography of the Bard, featuring the latest findings from scholars about his life and his works. Included is coverage of his upbringing in Stratford, his marriage and family life, the process of writing his greatest works, and his life after the theater.