What books did Shakespeare read? Few, as compared with the average author of his or any other age. Apart from the plays which he remade, he gleaned material and plot from Plutarch (North's translation), Holinshed, Geoffrey of Monmouth's history of British kings, now almost forgotten because of its mythical medley and inaccuracy, Boccaccio, Chaucer, and Montaigne. But the book of human life spread open before him is the source of his characters and the descriptive touches that lend vividness to his scenes. Falstaff, Lear, Rosalind, Antony, Macbeth, and Hamlet are all taken from his knowledge and observation of human nature in the living flesh. THE MAN 1. What can be said as to Shakespeare's private life and anecdotes in reference thereto? VI, 132. 2. Did he take to the stage from choice? VI, 133. 3. What was his reputation among his fellow playwrights? VI, 134. 4. Of what faith was Shakespeare, and what was his attitude toward Puritanism? VI, 138. 5. What led him to turn from comedy to tragedy after his fortieth year? VI, 142. 6. Through what occupations did Shakespeare pass to reach the position of dramatist? 7. Was he able to turn his experience to practical account? Explain. 8. Was Shakespeare what would be called in these days a man of the world? 9. Why do you suppose he wrote plays if acting was more lucrative? 10. Show his application of business sense to his poetry. STYLE AND WORKS 1. Did Shakespeare make any considerable use of the pun? I, 13. 2. To what do Shakespeare and his contemporaries owe their unique greatness in English literature? I, 180. 3. Are his dramas all of the first quality? III, 265. 4. Was it ever necessary for Shakespeare to 'court the muse' before writing? IV, 397. 5. Give a classification of his works. (See encyclopedia.) 6. Name his first poetic productions, and state when they were published. VI, 135. 7. What is known as to the order of publication of his dramas? VI, 135. 8. Which of Shakespeare's plays have endeared him most with his countrymen? VI, 137, 138. 9. What plays were written in the retirement of his latter years at Stratford? VI, 143. 10. Compare Marlowe's "Faustus," IX, 43, with "King Lear," XI, 3; and Jonson's "Every Man in his Humor" and "The Alchemist," VII, 346-354, with "Henry IV," X, 424. What are the divergences in style; in method of portraying character? FROM "KING LEAR"