Biographical Essays

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

De Quincey, Thomas, 1785-1859

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Biographical Essays" by Thomas De Quincey is a collection of critical essays produced in the early 19th century. This work examines the lives and influences of significant literary figures, initiating with an exploration of William Shakespeare, aimed at illuminating the complexities and contexts surrounding these historical icons. The opening of the essay focuses on William Shakespeare's life, discussing the scant details of his early years despite his monumental impact on literature. De Quincey reflects on the uncertainty surrounding the precise date and circumstances of Shakespeare's birth, introducing various theories regarding his time of baptism and the connection to his eventual fame. He further analyzes Shakespeare's familial background, the challenges faced by his father, and the social dynamics of Stratford-upon-Avon, ultimately suggesting that these factors may have shaped Shakespeare's literary career. Through a blend of historical inquiry and literary critique, De Quincey's introductory exploration sets the tone for a deeper examination of Shakespeare's life and legacy. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Contents:

Shakespeare

Pope

Charles Lamb

Goethe

Schiller.

Credits:

Produced by Robert Prince, Juliet Sutherland, Charles Franks and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team

Notes:

Reading ease score: 50.0 (College-level). Difficult to read.

Release date is 2004-08-01