Shakespeare's Restless World：An Unexpected History in Twenty Objects

FromNeilMacGregor,theacclaimedcreatorofAHistoryoftheWorldin100ObjectsandtheDirectoroftheBritishMuseum,comesaunique,enthrallingexplorationoftheageofWilliamShakespearetoaccompanyanewBBCRadio4series.Shakespearelivedthroughapivotalperiodinhumanhistory.WiththediscoveryoftheNewWorld,thehorizonsofOldEuropewereexpandingdramatically-andlong-cherishedcertaintieswerecrumbling.Lifewasexhilaratinglyuncertain.WhatwereLondonersthinkingwhentheywenttoseeShakespeare'splays?Whatwasitlikelivingintheirworld?HereNeilMacGregorlooksattwentyobjectsfromShakespeare'slifeandtimes,anduncoversthefascinatingstoriesbehindthem.Theobjectsthemselvesrangefromthegrand(suchasthehoardofgoldcoinsthatmakeuptheSalcombetreasure)totheveryhumble,likethebatteredtrunkandworngarmentsofanunknownpedlar.Butineachcase,theyallowMacGregortoexploreissuesasdiverseaspiracyandIslam,Catholicismanddisguise.MacGregorweavesthehistoriesofobjectsintothewordsofShakespeare'splaysthemselvestosuggesttouswherehisideasaboutreligion,nationalidentity,thehistoryofEnglandandtheworld,humannatureitself,mayhavecomefrom.TheresultisafreshandthrillingevocationofShakespeare'sworld.