A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare

Résumé du livre

James Shapiro is a professor of English literature at Columbia University, New York, and one of the world’s leading experts on Shakespeare. He has written numerous books on Elizabethan drama and poetry as well as the highly acclaimed study of authorship, Contested Will: Who Wrote Shakespeare? Shapiro’s A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599 won both the 2006 Samuel Johnson Prize and the 2006 Theatre Book Prize.

In the late 16th century, London’s thriving theater scene, fueled by widespread public enthusiasm, drew William Shakespeare to the city, where he rose as a playwright amidst a shortage of skilled dramatists. Despite theaters being located in disreputable areas and facing opposition from city authorities, their popularity persisted, supported by both commoners and aristocrats. By 1599, Shakespeare secured his financial future by co-investing in the Globe Theatre, a bold move that transformed the competitive theater landscape and solidified his reputation. The Globe’s opening coincided with a period of national crisis, including military struggles and fears of Spanish invasion, which influenced Shakespeare’s works like *Julius Caesar*, reflecting political anxieties and human complexities. Through his plays, Shakespeare captured the turbulent spirit of his era, blending artistic brilliance with shrewd business acumen, leaving an enduring legacy that shaped English theater and culture.

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