Biography
Explore Shakespeare's life, from his humble beginnings to his triumph in London and the family tragedies that may have informed his plays.
Historical Context
Read about Shakespeare's relationship with the church, the government, his peers and rivals, and discover how those ideas are reflected in his work.
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Political
- Elizabeth I
- James I
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Religious
- The Reformation
- The English Bible
- Puritans
Social Context
Explore ideas about women, minorities, and sexuality in Elizabethan England, and learn how those attitudes are reflected in Shakespeare's work.
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Shakespeare's Women
- Women in Shakespeare’s England
- Women in Shakespeare’s Writing
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Shakespeare's "Others"
- Jews in Shakespeare’s England
- Moors in Shakespeare’s England
Browse the most well-known and often-quotes lines from Shakespeare's work, and learn what other famous historical figures have borrowed them.
Plays by Genre
Explore Shakespeare's plays by genre and understand the differences between his comedies, tragedies, romances, and history plays.
Poetry
Read about the background, context, and style of Shakespeare's poetry.
Glossary
Browse a list of common terms associated with the publication, form, and style of Shakespeare's work, including prose, verse, and iambic pentameter.
Shakespeare's Language
From “anon” to “yelping,” browse a list of words commonly used by Shakespeare, including the hundreds he invented.