Aug 17, 2020
When William Shakespeare first
began his career, we see evidence in his plays as well as life
decisions that he was an ambitious man, almost constantly trying to
secure connections with the right people in the right places to
move his reputation upwards in society. One very key way we see
Shakespeare intentionally seek out forward motion for his career is
by his connection to Richard Field. Field is a printer who grew up
in Stratford Upon Avon, likely going to the same school as William
Shakespeare, and at the same time. The men both grew up to
establish professional careers in London, and it seems William
Shakespeare sought out Richard Field to publish
Venus & Adonis
as well as Rape of Lucrece which under Field’s direction, connections, and
influence would go on to become the most popular poetry in all of
Renaissance Europe.
Today our guest Adam Hooks, the foremost expert
on Richard Field, and author of the book Selling Shakespeare: Biography, Bibliography,
and the Book Trade, and
he joins us to introduce us to Richard Field, John Harrison, and
their bookshop, The White Greyhound in London that would form the
foundation for William Shakespeare’s success as a
poet.
Adam G. Hooks is an Associate Professor in the Department of English and the Center for the Book at the University of Iowa. He us currently the editor for the Arden Shakespeare 4th series volume of "Poems."