Overview

The first book of its kind to explore Shakespeare's different plays proving the relevance of stoic philosophy, in the themes, ideas, and images that play out in his body of work. Contemporary interpreters of Shakespeare have ignored those primary philosophical sources of Renaissance thought that influenced the fundamental moral principles and thinking of his time. This book avoids the problems of modern criticism because it discusses books available to Shakespeare during his own time, never before presented as sources. There is no better way of becoming acquainted with Shakespeare's world than by becoming familiar with Ruth Kelso's neglected bibliography, Doctrine of the English Gentleman in the 16th Century, her list of 1,133 books printed during Shakespeare's time. It is evident that Shakespeare rode the crest of a book publishing wave that still continues to inform the world. These same people who bought these books watched his plays. A critic who ignores these books is headed for disaster. He is flying blind.

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9780773442610

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Perhaps the most important contribution to scholarship that Schneider's monograph makes, therefore, is to redress the paucity of documented evidence on the influence of Stoicism to the thinking and morality of Renaissance writers and artists. (Professor David Buehrer, Valdosta State University)

"""Perhaps the most important contribution to scholarship that Schneider's monograph makes, therefore, is to redress the paucity of documented evidence on the influence of Stoicism to the thinking and morality of Renaissance writers and artists."" (Professor David Buehrer, Valdosta State University)"

Author Information

Dr. Ben R. Schneider, Jr. was Emeritus Professor of English at Lawrence University in Appleton, Wisconsin. A dedicated teacher, researcher and writer, his published works include Wordsworth's Cambridge Education, The Ethos of Restoration Comedy, Travels in Computerland, and My Personal Computer and Other Family Crises. He placed great value on the Socratic Method in teaching, the philosophy of the ancient Greek and Roman Stoics, and a straightforward reading of Shakespeare's plays based on their classical moral principles. The Web site he created, www.stoics.com is a valuable resource for researchers.

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