“It is known that Shakespeare’s works are distinguished by their comprehensive or, more simply, universal character, however, nevertheless, he belongs to the most national English poets and, in addition, belongs to a well-known era of English history, which must necessarily have been reflected in his works. It is rightly said that anyone who wants to know a poet must first know the poet’s country and the time in which he lived: without these conditions, acquaintance with the poet will not only be incomplete and superficial, but for the most part even erroneous. Regarding Shakespeare, all this is complicated by the fact that only the most meager information has reached us about his personality and life...”