Will in the World

"Will in the World" by Stephen Greenblatt explores William Shakespeare's life, emphasizing how his personal experiences, social environment, and historical context influenced his extraordinary plays and poetry. The book examines how Shakespeare's background as a commoner, the political turbulence of Elizabethan England, and his keen observations of human nature shaped his storytelling. Greenblatt presents Shakespeare as a product of his time, yet also a visionary whose work transcended it, revealing the complex interplay between individual creativity and societal forces. Overall, it offers a detailed look at how Shakespeare's life and era fueled his literary genius.