The Origins of Shakespeare

The Origins of Shakespeare opens up a number of new approaches to its subject. It shows Shakespeare making a dramatic tradition out of the cultural promise of generation immediately preceding his own. It makes out a new case for crediting him with a knowledge of Greek tragedy. It argues that he remember the dying mystery play tradition, building his own tragedies on the passion plays. It demonstrated how richly involved are the Henry VI plays, Richard III, and King John in the cultural and political life of their time. Its implications will affect our conception of Shakespeare as a whole.