It took me a while to get around to being ?in the mood? to watch this series, but once I got into it, I watched all four 55 minute episodes in one sitting. It?s a great trip into the world in which Shakespeare lived. This BBC series covers so much ground, but also manages to do so in a logical and interesting fashion. What may otherwise have been a meandering path of Elizabethan paperwork that means little when isolated from a bigger picture here becomes a well-constructed exploration of his life, placed in chronological order. The result is an easy-to-follow path, led by series presenter Michael Wood, who clearly has an interest in the man, and what is being discovered.

Born and raised as a country boy, and a Catholic, one thread of this series inevitably focuses on the bitter split between Catholic and Protestant that persists throughout Elizabeth I?s reign. She represented a Protestant England, newly created by her father Henry VIII. Shakespeare?s life spans her reign, and the beginnings of her successor to the throne, King James VI of Scotland. I?m not even going to try and go further into this, as it?s a long ? and fascinating ? sideline story. If you want a potted history of the ?issues? surrounding these times (maybe not 100% accurate but undoubtedly of interest), watch Cate Blanchett?s recent film ?Elizabeth? for a portrait of the times. Paranoia was rife, state spies were everywhere, treason was an offence punishable by death. And a gruesome death at that! Shakespeare?s (maternal) family was involved in this ugliness. He saw much, and didn?t forget.

I now see a different take on his famous ?Romeo & Juliet? - I had not previously viewed this tragic love story as a possible allegory for the rift between Protestant and Catholic, but I feel now that this is a genuine subtext. No doubt, Shakespeare, as any other playwright of the time, would have to be careful in their approach to any ?political? subject they wanted to explore. And so much was deemed political in these turbulent times. There are many great examples of his ?approach? to topical matters in this series. To survive these times as a public figure, you had to be clever. In fact, it?s clearly suggested in this series that he was a ?popular? writer ? choosing to use his talent to appeal to the tastes of the general public. To make money. He had a family to support. His popular plays did perform for royalty during his career. His contemporaries were Christopher Marlowe and Ben Johnson. Each had their own approach to drama, and their own take on the role of the ?poet/playwright? in their world. This is another big sideline in this series that gets deserved attention. In fact, Shakespeare had a cousin who was a Jesuit, and published an ?essay? on the role of the writer, with specific reference to him (as W.S.). His cousin basically said that any writer should spend his writing talent glorifying God, not frivolous things like love and human emotion etc. Well ? this cousin ended up executed. The series will explain the reasons why.

Shakespeare?s personal life is another aspect of this series. Family history is explored. Daddy was a businessman and town councillor, and had his fair share of brushes with the law. There is a lot to tell there too. William Shakespeare married at 19, with two daughters and a son to Ann Hathaway. She lived in the family home (with his mum, dad and siblings) at Stratford-Upon-Avon for his entire career. He spent most of his married life away from the home, settling in London and other counties, sending money home. If he ever ?fooled around? on Ann, it is not explored here, but there is some time spent looking at the dark woman who features in some of his famous sonnets. The jury?s out on this one. Maybe no-one in England wants to think of him as an adulterer. Then again, just because he writes about a mysterious woman, doesn?t mean he slept with her. Still, this series attempts to identify her. There?s still some mystery there. The death of his only son, Hamlet (interesting name!), is inevitably part of this series. Some of his sonnets also address a male (I ALWAYS wondered about this!) and it may well be homage to his son.

I could go on, but there?s so much to get into that it?ll take me forever to do so. This review just scratches the surface. Easiest to say - watch this series, it?s REALLY GOOD! Tons of information is presented. Thorough is one word to describe the series, if nothing else.

THE EXTRAS

Each of the four 55 minute episodes has its? own chapter selection. Other than that, no subtitle or audio language options. English is the only option.

CONCLUSION

This is an in-depth (220 minute) exploration of the great bard?s life, and I certainly wouldn?t call it dry and boring ? there was a strong element of investigative research, cleverly constructed to make it interesting. There?s much involved in looking into his past ? many fascinating historical links are pursued. For a unique BBC treatment of Shakespeare?s life and works, and a snapshot of the turbulent political times in which he lived ? during the reign of the famed Queen Elizabeth I ? I found this a compelling series. Spanning the late 16th and early 17th century, I learned a great deal about this period of British history and about Shakespeare himself. Having already read some of his sonnets and plays, I?m now inspired to read MORE. He writes beautifully, and with great insight into the universal human condition. Reading his work requires effort, but it?s definitely worth it. Only basic extras. English only soundtrack