Chapter I: Preface

IT is with some hesitation that I give my husband’s last book to the world. It was in type when he died, but he had no time to correct even the first proofs, and doubtless he would have made many changes, if not in his views at least in his expression of them. Mr. Bartram has verified the quotations and dates with infinite care, and for this he has my warmest thanks. For the rest I can but ask those who differ from the author to remember the circumstances in which the work has been published.

L. B. L.

CONTENTS

PAGE
INTRODUCTION xiii
I. THE BACONIAN AND ANTI-WILLIAN POSITIONS 1
II. THE “SILENCE” ABOUT SHAKESPEARE 25
III. THAT IMPOSSIBLE HE—THE SCHOOLING OF SHAKESPEARE 41
IV. MR. COLLINS ON SHAKESPEARE’S LEARNING 65
V. SHAKESPEARE, GENIUS, AND SOCIETY 83
VI. THE COURTLY PLAYS: “LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST” 119
VII. CONTEMPORARY RECOGNITION OF WILL AS AUTHOR 133
VIII. “THE SILENCE OF PHILIP HENSLOWE” 153
IX. THE LATER LIFE OF SHAKESPEARE—HIS MONUMENT AND 167
PORTRAITS
X. “THE TRADITIONAL SHAKSPERE” 193
XI. THE FIRST FOLIO 205
XII. BEN JONSON AND SHAKESPEARE 235
XIII. THE PREOCCUPATIONS OF BACON 271
APPENDIX I.—“TROILUS AND CRESSIDA” 293
APPENDIX II.—CHETTLE’S SUPPOSED ALLUSION TO WILL 302
SHAKSPERE

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

SHAKESPEARE’S MONUMENT AT STRATFORD-ON-AVON _Frontispiece_ (1616–1623?) COPY OF THE TITLE-PAGE OF “LOVE’S LABOUR’S LOST,” 12 1598. The earliest title-page in which Shakespeare’s name is given as the author of the work.

_From_ J. O. HALLIWELL-PHILLIPPS’ _Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare_ FACSIMILE OF THE AUTOGRAPH SIGNATURE “BY ME WILLIAM 47 SHAKSPEARE.” From one of the Three Sheets of his Will, dated _March_ 25, 1616.

_From_ SIR SIDNEY LEE’S _Shakespeare’s Life and
Work_. _By permission of_ Messrs. SMITH, ELDER &
Co.

FACSIMILE OF MARK-SIGNATURE OF JOHN SHAKESPEARE, THE POET’S FATHER. From a Deed of Conveyance, dated _January_ 26, 1596

_From_ J. O. HALLIWELL-PHILLIPPS’ _Outlines of the
Life of Shakespeare_

FACSIMILE OF MARK-SIGNATURE OF JUDITH SHAKESPEARE, THE POET’S SECOND DAUGHTER, AFTERWARDS MRS. THOMAS QUINEY

_From_ J. O. HALLIWELL-PHILLIPPS’ _Outlines of the Life of Shakespeare_ THE MONUMENT IN DUGDALE’S “HISTORY OF THE 178 ANTIQUITIES OF WARWICKSHIRE” (1656)

_With permission of_ JOHN MURRAY, Esq.
THE CAREW MONUMENT IN STRATFORD CHURCH 180, 181

THE CAREW MONUMENT AS REPRESENTED IN DUGDALE’S “HISTORY OF THE ANTIQUITIES OF WARWICKSHIRE” (1656) FROM VERTUE’S ENGRAVING OF THE MONUMENT (1725) 185

_With permission of_ JOHN MURRAY, ESQ. LONDON IN THE YEAR 1610, SHOWING THE GLOBE THEATRE 298 IN THE FOREGROUND

_From_ J. O. HALLIWELL-PHILLIPPS’ _Outlines of the
Life of Shakespeare_