Routledge - The Fictional Lives of Shakespeare (Book)

Explore the complexities of historical biography with The Fictional Lives of Shakespeare, part of the Routledge Studies in Shakespeare series. While many modern biographies attempt to document the life of William Shakespeare, this study examines why much of the existing literature lacks verification from primary sources. This academic work addresses the lack of sufficient material required for a complete cradle to grave account of the playwright's life. It provides a necessary critique of how Shakespearean biography evolved, noting that the field only achieved scholarly respectability after the publication of Samuel Schoenbaum's William Shakespeare: A Documentary Life in 1975. Readers will find a structured investigation that starts with a survey of the history and practice of biography before moving into a detailed review of the limited biographical data available for Shakespeare. This book is an essential resource for students and scholars interested in the historical accuracy and academic methods used to study one of literature's most famous figures.