The History of the World

Sir Walter Raleigh

London: Walter Burre, 1614

Raleigh wrote this history while imprisoned in the Tower of London from 1603 to 1616 for his alleged role in the plot to remove King James I from the throne. It was published after his first expedition to the New World. Masked within the recounting of these ancient stories are subtle warnings about the political situations taking place in England during the seventeenth century. Consequently, the book was suppressed.  The illustrations on the title page can be interpreted using the key on the facing page. Raleigh, a poet, explorer, soldier, and courtier, was a contemporary of Shakespeare and lived an adventurous and swashbuckling life.

The First and Second Volumes of Chronicles

Raphael Holinshed
London: Henry Denham, 1587

Raphael Holinshed intended his “universal cosmographie” to serve as both a comprehensive geographical and historical description and a testament to the growing influence and prestige of English scholarship. This edition was heavily censored after publication because of its controversial interpretation of political events of the time. It has been recognized as one of Shakespeare’s most important sources. Shakespeare gleaned the basic plots of nearly all of his historical plays from Holinshed, including King Lear, Macbeth, and Cymbeline.

The First and Second Volumes of Chronicles

Raphael Holinshed
London: Henry Denham, 1587

Raphael Holinshed intended his “universal cosmographie” both as a comprehensive geographical and historical description and as a testament to the growing influence and prestige of English scholarship. This edition was heavily censored after publication because of its controversial interpretation of political events of the time. It has been recognized as one of Shakespeare’s most important sources. Shakespeare gleaned the basic plots of nearly all of his historical plays from Holinshed, including King Lear, Macbeth, and Cymbeline.

The Workes of Beniamin Johnson[sic]

Benjamin [Ben] Jonson

London: Will Stansby, 1616

Shakespeare and Jonson were mutual admirers of each other's works. This publication of Jonson’s nine works in one volume established the idea of plays as serious literature worthy of scholarly attention. The publication of Shakespeare’s First Folio followed this example of anthologizing multiple works in one volume.

The Tragicall Historie of the Life and Reigne of Richard the Third [sic]

Sir Thomas More

London: T. Paine and M. Simmons, 1641

Sir Thomas More (1478-1535) was an English statesman, author, social philosopher, and Lord Chancellor. He was executed by Henry VIII for his opposition to the King's schism with the Catholic Church.  Shakespeare was very familiar with More’s History of Richard III, which included references to Greek and Roman authors who examined the events leading to civil wars. Both men offered an unfavorable account of Richard III’s reign due to their allegiance to the Tudor family and its struggle to wrest the throne from the monarch.

Ovid’s Festivalls: or Romane Calendar

Cambridge: Roger Daniel, 1640

As a child, Shakespeare attended King's New School in Stratford where he was instructed in Latin literature and history. The classic poets he studied in his youth greatly influenced his work.  He was particularly fond of Virgil and Ovid; the latter is thought to be his favorite author.

L'Eneide di Virgilio: Ridotta in Ottava Rima

G.B. Ciotti

As a child, Shakespeare attended King's New School in Stratford where he was instructed in Latin literature and history. The classic poets he studied in his youth greatly influenced his work. He was particularly fond of Virgil and Ovid; the latter is thought to be his favorite author.