1st Edition

Shakespeare and the Lawyers

By O Hood Phillips Copyright 1972
    226 Pages
    by Routledge

    226 Pages
    by Routledge

    First published in 1972.

    Shakespeare's writing abounds with legal terms and allusions and in many of the plays the concept and working of the law is a significant theme. Shakespeare and the Lawyers gives a comprehensive survey of what Shakespeare wrote about the law and lawyers, and what has been written, particularly by lawyers, about Shakespeare's life and works in relation to the law. The book first reviews the recorded facts about Shakespeare's life and works, and his connection with the Inns of Court. It then discusses legal terms, allusions and plots in the plays; Shakespeare's treatment of the problems of law, justice and government; his description of lawyers and officers of the law; his references to actual legal personalities; and his trial scenes. Two further chapters consider the criticisms that have been made of Shakespeare's law, and the contribution to Shakespeare studies by lawyers.

    Chapter 1; I Records of Shakespeare's Life and Work; Chapter 2 Shakespeare and the Inns of Court; Chapter 3 Legal Terms, Allusions and Plots; Chapter 4 Problems of Law, Justice and Government; Chapter 5 Descriptions of Lawyers and Officers of the Law; Chapter 6 References to Legal Personalities and Cases; Chapter 7 Trial Scenes; Chapter 8 The Trial in The Merchant of Venice; Chapter 9 9Criticism of Shakespeare's Law; Chapter 10 Lawyers' Contributions to Shakespeare Studies; Chapter 11 The Lawyers and Shakespeare; Chapter 12 Did Shakespeare have a Legal Training?; Bibliography; Index;

    Biography

    PHILLIPS O HOOD