Becoming Shakespeare begins where most Shakespeare stories end―with his death in 1616―and relates the fascinating story of his unlikely transformation from provincial playwright to universal Bard. Unlike later literary giants, Shakespeare created no stir when he died. Though he'd once had a string of hit plays, he had been retired in the country for six years, and only his family, friends, and business partners seemed to care that he was gone. Within a few years he was nearly forgotten. And when London's theaters were shut down in 1642, he seemed destined for oblivion.
With the Restoration in 1660, though, the theaters were open once again, and Shakespeare began his long ascent: No longer merely one playwright among many, he became the transcendent genius at the heart of English culture. Fifty years after the Restoration scholars began taking him seriously. Fifty years after that he was considered England's greatest genius. And by 1800 he was practically divine.
Jack Lynch vividly chronicles Shakespeare's afterlife―from the revival of his plays to the decades when his work was co-opted and "improved" by politicians and other playwrights, and culminating with the "Bardolatry" of the Stratford celebration of Shakespeare's three-hundredth birthday in 1864. Becoming Shakespeare is not only essential reading for anyone intrigued by Shakespeare, but it also offers a consideration of the vagaries of fame.
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Jack Lynch, a professor of English at Rutgers University, has been studying the curious afterlife of William Shakespeare for more than fifteen years. He is the editor of Samuel Johnson's Dictionary and Samuel Johnson's Insults. He lives in Lawrenceville, New Jersey.
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Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Becoming Shakespeare This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 7719-9781845298234
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Book Description hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Ripped/damaged jacket. The dust jacket of this book is slightly damaged/ripped, however, this does not affect the internal condition. Aged book. Tanned pages and age spots, however, this will not interfere with reading. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Seller Inventory # CHL9578538
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. This book is in very good condition and will be shipped within 24 hours of ordering. The cover may have some limited signs of wear but the pages are clean, intact and the spine remains undamaged. This book has clearly been well maintained and looked after thus far. Money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. See all our books here, order more than 1 book and get discounted shipping. Seller Inventory # 6545-9781845298234
Book Description Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001698182
Book Description 1st edn hardback with dust wrapper. 8.75" x 5.5". viii + 306 pages. b/w illustrations. Like new. VG+/VG+. Seller Inventory # 13825
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. First Edition. First Edition. Fine beneath a clean and unclipped dust jacket. viii, 306pp. Illustrated. Seller Inventory # 199
Book Description Hard Cover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. 1st edition, 8vo, 307pp, photo illustrations; VG+/Fine Copy in VG+/Fine DJ Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. Seller Inventory # 42029
Book Description Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good. First Edition. Second-hand copy, no damage to the dust jacket, no damage or annotations to the book. Becoming Shakespeare begins when most biographies end, with the hero's death in 1616. Jack Linton's concern is with Shakespeare's afterlife: how the unlikely transformation from provincial playwright universal Bard came about. Shakespeare created no stir when he died. Within a few years he was almost forgotten. And when London's theatres were shut in 1642 he seemed destined for oblivion. But with the restoration in 1660, the theatres reopened and Shakespeare began his posthumous comeback.  By 1800 he was practically divine, what Jane Austen called "part of an Englishman's constitution."  Front fold over blurb Full number line. Size: 8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" tall. X, 306, [4] pages. Please refer to accompanying picture (s). Quantity Available: 1. Shipped Weight: Under 1 kilo. Category: Biography & Autobiography; 17th century; Essays & Literary Criticism. ISBN: 1845298233. ISBN/EAN: 9781845298234. Inventory No: 0280465. Seller Inventory # 0280465
Book Description Hardback. 1st UK Edition. Octavo Size [approx 14x22cm]. Near Fine copy in Near Fine dustjacket. DJ now protected in our purpose-made plastic sleeve. An excellent copy. Black & white illustrations. Robust, professional packaging and tracking provided for all parcels. 306 pages. This book begins where most biographies end - with the hero's death in 1616. Seller Inventory # 323648