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Article: The Hard-headed Shakespeare. (Reviews).(Un gentle Shakespeare: Scenes from his Life)
- Article from:
- Contemporary Review
- Article date:
- February 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 Contemporary Review Company Ltd. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Un gentle Shakespeare: Scenes from his Life. Katherine Duncan-Jones. Arden Shakespeare. [pounds sterling]20.00. 322 pages. ISBN 1-903436-26-5.
Ungentle Shakespeare is a first-class title, as the marketing people may have assured Katherine Duncan-Jones when she had doubts. It brings together two big ideas. First, Shakespeare is not 'gentle' in the sense of being mildly benign, a Mr cheeryble of drama. He is hard-headed, unforgiving, good at business deals and tough on debts. Second, Shakespeare is socially ambitious, devoting his career towards establishing his status as gentleman. He advanced well beyond his relatively humble origins. Insecurity and ...