What were the greatest influences on Shakespeare?

From great classical authors like Ovid and Seneca, to English historians like Holinshed, Shakespeare's greatest influences were the works of other great writers. With the exception of A Midsummer Night's Dream, Love's Labour's Lost and The Tempest, which are wholly original stories, Shakespeare borrowed his plots, down to fine detail. read more

From great classical authors like Ovid and Seneca, to English historians like Holinshed, Shakespeare's greatest influences were the works of other great writers. read more

Shakespeare, like any great writer, is a product of his time period. The Elizabethan period was an incredibly rich time full of changes. The English language itself was changing at a rapid pace as new words were added frequently. When Richard Brubage built the Theatre in Shoreditch, it brought about a great change for theatre companies. read more