Stephen Greenblatt
Stephen Greenblatt is a renowned American literary critic, theorist, scholar, and Pulitzer Prize-winning author. He is one of the founders of New Historicism, a school of literary theory that emphasizes the historical context of literary works. Greenblatt is best known for his work on Renaissance literature, particularly Shakespeare, and has written several influential books, including 'Will in the World' and 'The Swerve: How the World Became Modern.'
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. The Swerve
How the World Became Modern
The book explores the rediscovery of a long-lost poem by Lucretius, "On the Nature of Things," in the 15th century by an Italian humanist and book hunter. This poem's rediscovery, according to the book, led to a monumental shift in cultural and philosophical thought, paving the way for the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and modern science. The book delves into the poem's content, which challenges religious dogma and promotes a world driven by natural laws and human innovation, and its profound influence on thinkers and artists for centuries.
The 4419th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
2. Dark Renaissance
Dark Renaissance traces Christopher Marlowe’s rise from a humble background to become a provocative Elizabethan dramatist whose bold poetry and plays challenged religious, political, and moral conventions. The book examines his ties to the queen’s intelligence service and the intellectual circles around him, showing how his daring imagination and skepticism helped reshape English literature, language, and culture without revealing plot details.
The 10406th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon -
3. Will In The World
How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare
"Will In The World" is a biography of Shakespeare that explores how he became one of the greatest writers in history. Stephen Greenblatt delves into the political and cultural influences of Elizabethan England, as well as the personal experiences and relationships that shaped Shakespeare's life and work. Through a combination of historical research and literary analysis, Greenblatt paints a vivid portrait of Shakespeare's world and the man who transformed it with his words.
The 10450th Greatest Book of All TimePurchase from Bookshop.org or Amazon
