Shakespeare and the Lawyers

Front Cover
Routledge, 2013 M04 15 - 232 pages
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.
 

Contents

1 Records of Shakespeares Life and Work
1
2 Shakespeare and the Inns of Court
23
3 Legal Terms Allusions and Plots
37
4 Problems of Law Justice and Government
48
5 Descriptions of Lawyers and Officers of the Law
62
6 References to Legal Personalities and Cases
70
7 Trial Scenes
84
8 The Trial in The Merchant of Venice
91
9 Criticism of Shakespeares Law
119
10 Lawyers Contributions to Shakespeare Studies
141
11 The Lawyers and Shakespeare
162
12 Did Shakespeare have a Legal Training?
176
BIBLIOGRAPHY
193
INDEX
211
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PHILLIPS O HOOD

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