G.H.PIPER

NELSONS' HAND-BOOKS FOR TOURISTS.

SHAKESPEARE

AND

HIS BIRTH-PLACE:

CONTAINING

A BIOGRAPHY OF THE POET, AND A GUIDE TO STRATFORD-
UPON-AVON AND ITS VICINITY.

CONTENTS.

LIFE OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE.

CHAPTER I.

INTRODUCTION-SHAKESPEARE'S ANCESTRY.

Shakespeare-His function in relation to the English-speaking race

-In what does he educate men-Stands alone-A law in the pro-

duction of great men-History of society divided into epochs-

Transition periods fertile in great men-Homer, Shakespeare, Sir

Walter Scott, their position-Shakespeare a myth-Parentage-`

John Shakespeare-His occupation-Mary Arden

CHAPTER II.

1571-1579.

...

BOYHOOD AND SCHOOL-DAYS.

Shakespeare's boyhood-He is silent about himself-Educated at the

Free Grammar School of Stratford-School founded in 1482-Kept

in the Chapel of the Guild-The extent of Shakespeare's classical

education-His knowledge of nature and of character-Stratford

names and characters in his plays-Queen Elizabeth at Kenilworth

CHAPTER III.

YOUTH TO MANHOOD. 1579-1586.

Occupation of Shakespeare after leaving school-Was he apprenticed

to a butcher?—Aubrey-Was he a schoolmaster?—Was he articled

to an attorney?-The Topers and Sippers of Bidford-Quartett

ascribed to Shakespeare-His marriage-Its haste and secrecy-

Anne Hathaway-This union, whether or not a happy one

CHAPTER IV.

...

Page

PUBLIC LIFE-TILL WELL KNOWN AS A DRAMATIST. 1586-1591.

Shakespeare goes to London-Shakespeare's boys-Probable foun-

dation of the story-He enters Blackfriars Theatre-Style of the

olden theatres-Greene's Groatsworth of Wit-Shakespeare a

Fac-totum-His dramas in relation to pre-existing materials-

Homer the last of a race of bards-Chettle's apology for Greene

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