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William Shakespeare: An Illustrated Biography
William Shakespeare's life was as colorful, varied, and dramatic as his works. He was the Warwickshire country boy who "disappeared" for 7 years before ending up in London as an apprentice actor; whose peers could scarcely keep up with the plays he turned out for them; who rapidly became a favourite at the court of Elizabeth I; and who returned to Stratford a prosperous "gentleman," proud to realize his father's dream of a family coat of arms before his death at 52. This is an illustrated biography of the most renowned of all dramatists and poets.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1999
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146 people want to read
About the author
Anthony Holden
93 books22 followersAnthony Holden is an English writer, broadcaster and critic, particularly known as a biographer of artists.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 2, 2020
Anthony Holden builds on what we know about Shakespeare by inferring how his work told us more about him, his thought and experiences and how these in turn fed into his work.
Therefore this is not so much a biography as an analysis of the synthesis of Shakespeare's works and life.
The author of course outlines William Shakespeare's life . Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, on 26 April, 1564; his father John Shakespeare, a respected burgess of Stratford, his mother Mary Arden, the daughter of a well to do farmer, through whom the family acquired some property.
Shakespeare was schooled at Stratford, and married Anne Hathaway, after getting her pregnant, she being eight years older than him, and had by her three daughters.
Shakespeare left for London some time between 1585 and 1587, in consequence for what it was said was a deer-stealing frolic on the estate of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote. He was said to have taken charge of the horses at the theatre door and later to have become an actor.
His first poetical work Venus and Adonis appeared in 1593, and Lucrece the year after. He became connected with various theatres in some of which he bought shares and acted., thus earning enough to buy a house in his native place, where he chiefly resided for ten years before his death.
Of the bard's futher history we know but a few facts; there is record of him having bought land near Stratford in 1602; a year later he figured in Burbabges Company at the Blackfriars theatre in London; there is record too, of actions brought by him against certain people. mostly for debts. In 1613 he was purchasing more property in London.
In 1616 he appeded a signature to his will, dying about a month later from it is alleged, the results of over-indulgence from a convivial meeting with Ben Johnson and Drayton. He was buried at the church in Stratford.
The author dissects Shakespeare's plays, drawing our attention in one passage to Shakespeare's lack of geographical knowledge of Europe, pointing out that Shakespeare give Bohemia a coast (A Winter's Tale), makes ports of Milan (The Tempest) and Verona (The Two Gentlemen of Verona), and gives Padua a ferry to Venice (The Merchant of Venice), where he sets two plays without once mentioning water in the streets!
This volume by Holden traces his life together with his work, analyzing how his plays and other works reflected his personal philosophy and experiences. including the memories and experiences acquired from childhood, his relationships and his patronage by Elizabeth I and James I.
The author contributes to analysis and deeper understanding of several of his plays. making this an important tool for studying his works as much as for tracing his life.
Therefore this is not so much a biography as an analysis of the synthesis of Shakespeare's works and life.
The author of course outlines William Shakespeare's life . Shakespeare was born in Stratford upon Avon, Warwickshire, on 26 April, 1564; his father John Shakespeare, a respected burgess of Stratford, his mother Mary Arden, the daughter of a well to do farmer, through whom the family acquired some property.
Shakespeare was schooled at Stratford, and married Anne Hathaway, after getting her pregnant, she being eight years older than him, and had by her three daughters.
Shakespeare left for London some time between 1585 and 1587, in consequence for what it was said was a deer-stealing frolic on the estate of Sir Thomas Lucy of Charlecote. He was said to have taken charge of the horses at the theatre door and later to have become an actor.
His first poetical work Venus and Adonis appeared in 1593, and Lucrece the year after. He became connected with various theatres in some of which he bought shares and acted., thus earning enough to buy a house in his native place, where he chiefly resided for ten years before his death.
Of the bard's futher history we know but a few facts; there is record of him having bought land near Stratford in 1602; a year later he figured in Burbabges Company at the Blackfriars theatre in London; there is record too, of actions brought by him against certain people. mostly for debts. In 1613 he was purchasing more property in London.
In 1616 he appeded a signature to his will, dying about a month later from it is alleged, the results of over-indulgence from a convivial meeting with Ben Johnson and Drayton. He was buried at the church in Stratford.
The author dissects Shakespeare's plays, drawing our attention in one passage to Shakespeare's lack of geographical knowledge of Europe, pointing out that Shakespeare give Bohemia a coast (A Winter's Tale), makes ports of Milan (The Tempest) and Verona (The Two Gentlemen of Verona), and gives Padua a ferry to Venice (The Merchant of Venice), where he sets two plays without once mentioning water in the streets!
This volume by Holden traces his life together with his work, analyzing how his plays and other works reflected his personal philosophy and experiences. including the memories and experiences acquired from childhood, his relationships and his patronage by Elizabeth I and James I.
The author contributes to analysis and deeper understanding of several of his plays. making this an important tool for studying his works as much as for tracing his life.
July 13, 2018
I'll first say that this was book was a book challenge read. It would have never landed in my TBR pile otherwise. I really didn't care for this one. Actually, I liked the facts stated about the life of William Shakespeare, but this one strayed a lot from the mere facts. In this genre, I have a hard time with that. Bits and pieces of an editorial aren't what I'm looking for. This also felt long.
Overall, I feel like I do know more about the man that has made such an impact in this world with his writings....so I'll go with 2 stars.
Overall, I feel like I do know more about the man that has made such an impact in this world with his writings....so I'll go with 2 stars.
October 27, 2009
Very interesting and informative biography. Holden has the gift of making Shakespeare come alive in his pages. Of course, parts of the book are informed speculation, but he certainly has done his homework and research. If the aim of a biography is to make its subject come alive, then this one has most definitely succeeded.
February 24, 2015
Started book then put to one side when half way through reading other books. From the moment I picked up the book again I was transfixed, finding it historically illuminating and the background to the writing of the later plays from 1600 onwards enlightening.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 26, 2018
I am pretty sure that nearly everybody has heard of William Shakespeare and at some point, have had the opportunity to read this work. From an early age growing up in England, you know who Shakespeare is without even reading his work as he is a celebrated playwright. However, I first read one of William Shakespeare's works for my GCSEs, most of my friends were in other classes reading some of Shakespeare's works such as Romeo & Juliet, Othello or Much Ado About Nothing but I have to say that I was lucky with the text that my class were given; Midsummer's Nights Dream. It is my favourite play from William Shakespeare, I love the plot and all the characters, but even though I knew of Shakespeare's plays, I didn't know much about the man himself! That is exactly what Anthony Holden's biography is teaching me!
I was given this book as a birthday present from one of my best friends. When I opened the wrapping paper and say the book, I was so grateful as she knows of my love and passion for everything to do with history and especially the Tudor era, so I was so happy with receiving this book. However, I began thinking to myself 'I don't know much about William Shakespeare, I know of his plays and he wrote them, but I'm not really interested'.....That all changed since watching Ben Elton's comedy show on William Shakespeare called 'Upstart Crow' featuring David Mitchell as the Bard himself and when I decided to go to Shakespeare's birthplace and hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon! The book had been on my shelf for over 2 years and it seemed like the right time for me to read about Shakespeare when visiting where he grew up, and it has taught me many things so far!
Anthony Holden's book on William Shakespeare doesn't just look at the man behind the plays, but also the atmosphere and events that may have inspired his plays and his friendship and relationship with key figures in the theatre business and his patrons such as the Earl of Southampton, Elizabeth I and James I.
This book is very informative and detailed, as it has managed to teach me more about the theatre during the Elizabethan Era and has taught me about William himself, and his family life. However, with the book being very detailed, sometimes I feel that the author was talking more about the theatres, Shakespeare's fellow playwrights and actors rather than the subject of the book. Also, I love reading books that detail every section of a historical figures life and actions, but sadly with this book I wasn't really enjoying how much detail was in the book and I found myself (dare I say it....) actually bored, although I must admit I started to enjoy the book and the many fine details by the end of the book.
The book's chapters are structured by the years and what William was doing at the time, for example, 'Childhood 1569-1579' talked about William's childhood, what sorts of things he would have done as a child during the Elizabethan period, such as attending the local school of King Edward VI school, what he would have learnt at school and also attending the local church. The other chapters are as followed; 'Stratford 1564-1569'; 'The Lost Years 1579-1587'; 'London 1587-1592'; 'The Upstart Crow 1592-1594'; 'The Lord Chamberlain's Man 1594-1596'; 'My Absent Child 1596-1599', 'The Globe 1599-1603', 'The King's Man 1603-1606', 'The Antique Roman 1606-1608', 'Blackfriars 1608-1611' and 'A Merry Meeting 1611-1616'. This allowed for the author to be able to talk in detail Shakespeare's life and what plays he wrote during some of those years, and the events and relationships he experienced that would be reflected through themes, characters and scenes throughout his many plays.
Reading the chapter 'My Absent Child' did really move me when the author began talking about the death of Shakespeare's only son and heir, Hamnet. This did make me a tiny bit teary, as I empathised and sympathised with Shakespeare as Hamnet was only 11 years old when he died, but it was interesting as the author explained that Hamnet would haunt and be a constant presence throughout his father's later works. It was also claimed that the play 'Hamlet' would be dedicated to his son, as back in those times 'Hamnet' and 'Hamlet' would have been interchangeable and there were many different ways that one would have spelt their name, so easily would Hamnet be Hamlet.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about one of the most famous playwrights throughout history. This book would also give you more knowledge and insight into the world of theatres and plays during the Elizabethan and Stuart era, which I must say that I never knew before!
I was given this book as a birthday present from one of my best friends. When I opened the wrapping paper and say the book, I was so grateful as she knows of my love and passion for everything to do with history and especially the Tudor era, so I was so happy with receiving this book. However, I began thinking to myself 'I don't know much about William Shakespeare, I know of his plays and he wrote them, but I'm not really interested'.....That all changed since watching Ben Elton's comedy show on William Shakespeare called 'Upstart Crow' featuring David Mitchell as the Bard himself and when I decided to go to Shakespeare's birthplace and hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon! The book had been on my shelf for over 2 years and it seemed like the right time for me to read about Shakespeare when visiting where he grew up, and it has taught me many things so far!
Anthony Holden's book on William Shakespeare doesn't just look at the man behind the plays, but also the atmosphere and events that may have inspired his plays and his friendship and relationship with key figures in the theatre business and his patrons such as the Earl of Southampton, Elizabeth I and James I.
This book is very informative and detailed, as it has managed to teach me more about the theatre during the Elizabethan Era and has taught me about William himself, and his family life. However, with the book being very detailed, sometimes I feel that the author was talking more about the theatres, Shakespeare's fellow playwrights and actors rather than the subject of the book. Also, I love reading books that detail every section of a historical figures life and actions, but sadly with this book I wasn't really enjoying how much detail was in the book and I found myself (dare I say it....) actually bored, although I must admit I started to enjoy the book and the many fine details by the end of the book.
The book's chapters are structured by the years and what William was doing at the time, for example, 'Childhood 1569-1579' talked about William's childhood, what sorts of things he would have done as a child during the Elizabethan period, such as attending the local school of King Edward VI school, what he would have learnt at school and also attending the local church. The other chapters are as followed; 'Stratford 1564-1569'; 'The Lost Years 1579-1587'; 'London 1587-1592'; 'The Upstart Crow 1592-1594'; 'The Lord Chamberlain's Man 1594-1596'; 'My Absent Child 1596-1599', 'The Globe 1599-1603', 'The King's Man 1603-1606', 'The Antique Roman 1606-1608', 'Blackfriars 1608-1611' and 'A Merry Meeting 1611-1616'. This allowed for the author to be able to talk in detail Shakespeare's life and what plays he wrote during some of those years, and the events and relationships he experienced that would be reflected through themes, characters and scenes throughout his many plays.
Reading the chapter 'My Absent Child' did really move me when the author began talking about the death of Shakespeare's only son and heir, Hamnet. This did make me a tiny bit teary, as I empathised and sympathised with Shakespeare as Hamnet was only 11 years old when he died, but it was interesting as the author explained that Hamnet would haunt and be a constant presence throughout his father's later works. It was also claimed that the play 'Hamlet' would be dedicated to his son, as back in those times 'Hamnet' and 'Hamlet' would have been interchangeable and there were many different ways that one would have spelt their name, so easily would Hamnet be Hamlet.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who would like to know more about one of the most famous playwrights throughout history. This book would also give you more knowledge and insight into the world of theatres and plays during the Elizabethan and Stuart era, which I must say that I never knew before!
November 25, 2023
A competent biography of the celebrated playwright. Much of the details I already knew. What this book adds is a (slightly speculative) suggestion that Shakespeare was a closet-Catholic in his youth, having lived in a Catholic household in Lancashire during the 'lost years' when he was young. I also hugely enjoyed the very start of chapter one in which Holden roundly trashes the "usually snobbish attempts" to deny that Shakespeare was the author of the plays via conspiracy theories that must assume that Ben Jonson and Robert Greene and Will Kemp and King James I all lied when naming Shakespeare as a playwright/actor/shareholder.
While one can always quibble with anybody about the chronology of the plays (eg the BBC recently put Titus Andronicus first, as a collaboration with George Peele, while Holden gives primacy to Henry VI), this book is a useful reference for sources; it is both scholarly and well written.
A useful addition to the canon.
While one can always quibble with anybody about the chronology of the plays (eg the BBC recently put Titus Andronicus first, as a collaboration with George Peele, while Holden gives primacy to Henry VI), this book is a useful reference for sources; it is both scholarly and well written.
A useful addition to the canon.
February 28, 2019
This was exactly the type of book I was looking for.
I am not a Shakespeare fan, but entertain at a Shakespeare event every year. I hated the fact that when I worked there that I don't know anything about Shakespeare except that he was one of the most important playwrights ever. Yeah, I could also spout off some plays and a few high level synopsis, but nothing more.
I wanted to be able to add some history to my entertaining, but did not want to focus on the plays themselves. I figured everybody else did that and I knew that I could not learn enough about the plays to compete the history others told. I wanted something about Shakespeare and his time. A book that tied the events of his life to the plays.
This book does just that. It talks about Shakespeares history, the period he lived, and his role in 16/17th century England. It was exactly what I wanted.
I am not a Shakespeare fan, but entertain at a Shakespeare event every year. I hated the fact that when I worked there that I don't know anything about Shakespeare except that he was one of the most important playwrights ever. Yeah, I could also spout off some plays and a few high level synopsis, but nothing more.
I wanted to be able to add some history to my entertaining, but did not want to focus on the plays themselves. I figured everybody else did that and I knew that I could not learn enough about the plays to compete the history others told. I wanted something about Shakespeare and his time. A book that tied the events of his life to the plays.
This book does just that. It talks about Shakespeares history, the period he lived, and his role in 16/17th century England. It was exactly what I wanted.
August 12, 2024
A little dated now, and surpassed by Peter Ackroyd's magnificent life of Shakespeare, but a decent account nonetheless. Holden's particularly good on the teenage years spent in Lancashire (and was heavily involved in the Shakespeare North Trust and the development of the Shakespeare North Playhouse).
He's also good on the development of the great tragic heroes, noting that Hamlet is more complex and ambiguous than those written before him and how, from then until the four benign late plays, the heroes grow darker and more savage.
Throughout, his great love for, and deep understanding of, the poems and plays is obvious.
He's also good on the development of the great tragic heroes, noting that Hamlet is more complex and ambiguous than those written before him and how, from then until the four benign late plays, the heroes grow darker and more savage.
Throughout, his great love for, and deep understanding of, the poems and plays is obvious.
December 18, 2021
Gives a flavor of Elizabethan times as it relates to Shakespeare, but includes a fair amount of speculation.
January 18, 2023
He gives some great information and has a really interesting take on the plays. However, there are way too many assumptions made about Shakespeare with little given to support his theories.
August 21, 2024
Straightforward. Reminded me why I love and respect-read Shakespeare.
December 15, 2011
The author is touted as witty on the book's cover, but I frankly just found the writing a mess. He skips back and forth in time tangents. That makes the story very hard to follow. He also contradicts himself. He puts forth evidence which is solid, granted. It's hard to argue with acutal records. However, he also uses Shakespeare's works to support his theories on one page. Then he basically says we shouldn't read too much into the passages a few chapters later. The subject of Anne Hathaway is treated with an alternatively snide and then patronizing sort of attitude. It was really difficult to read this book. There's no linear storyline, his evidence isn't laid out in a clear way, and the writing is mired in misplaced details that often belong somewhere else. I would not recommend this to anyone.
July 1, 2013
I expected this to be dull and straightforward, but actually Holden manages to write in a lively and almost entertaining manner. He also has obviously done a huge amount of research as he describes not only the known facts of the life of Shakespeare but has also discovered info about his friends and neighbours who have provided us hints about where and what Shakespeare might have been and done in a certain year. In addition, he provides us a lot of information about Shakespeare's family and what happened after his death or before his birth. He makes deductions based on Shakespeare's works, but does also make an effort to not draw conclusions that would be unbelievable or based on too small pieces of evidence.
I recommend this to all who are doing research on Shakespeare's life and his works that are widely analyzed in this book.
I recommend this to all who are doing research on Shakespeare's life and his works that are widely analyzed in this book.
July 28, 2016
How do you write a review of a biography of Shakespeare? Almost by definition every section starts with; if X happened then surely Y must've followed.
Then we get a number paragraphs or even chapters elaborating on the initial hypothesis. We don't have much to work on Shakespeare and we are unlikely to be able to in the future.
Having said that This biography is a very decent attempt at collating what we know of Shakespeare as well as tieing in the potential experiences of his life to his works.
Worth reading.
Then we get a number paragraphs or even chapters elaborating on the initial hypothesis. We don't have much to work on Shakespeare and we are unlikely to be able to in the future.
Having said that This biography is a very decent attempt at collating what we know of Shakespeare as well as tieing in the potential experiences of his life to his works.
Worth reading.
November 28, 2008
For the bare facts of Shakespeare's life I suppose this is good. However, the book left me wondering why Holden hates Shakespeare's wife Anne Hathaway. Considering that we know very little about the marriage some of his conclusions were out there. I don't need a fairy tale marriage described, but it seemed a bit lopsided.
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