Published in association with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and beautifully illustrated with contemporary images from Shakespeare's time as well as photographs of RSC performances, this book explores the poet's life and the enduring legacy of his work. It delves into the likely sources that inspired him to write such masterpieces as The Merchant of Venice, Othello and Macbeth and assesses the influences of subsequent generations of performers who have shown the "infinite variety" with which Shakespeare's work can be adapted to all forms of media. The book is enhanced with 20 items of memorabilia, including Shakespeare's marriage certificate and Will, an extract of the First Folio of 1623 and an extract from the prompt book for a production of Twelfth Night in 1965 directed by Sir John Gielgud.