The Influence of Stoicism on William Shakespeare : His Background of Reading and How it Shaped His Portrayal of Characters

The first book of its kind to explore Shakespeare's different plays proving the relevance of stoic philosophy, in the themes, ideas, and images that play out in his body of work.

Contemporary interpreters of Shakespeare have ignored those primary philosophical sources of Renaissance thought that influenced the fundamental moral principles and thinking of his time.

This book avoids the problems of modern criticism because it discusses books available to Shakespeare during his own time, never before presented as sources.

There is no better way of becoming acquainted with Shakespeare's world than by becoming familiar with Ruth Kelso's neglected bibliography, Doctrine of the English Gentleman in the 16th Century, her list of 1,133 books printed during Shakespeare's time.

It is evident that Shakespeare rode the crest of a book publishing wave that still continues to inform the world.

These same people who bought these books watched his plays.

A critic who ignores these books is headed for disaster.

He is flying blind.