Shakespeare and His Actors: An Essay on Clowns, Fools, Tragedians, and Women, and the Men and Boys Who Played Them

An essay is presented on English dramatist William Shakespeare, on the plays he wrote, on the overall effect of his actors, boys and men in particular, in his company and the parts they were capable of playing. It discusses seven distinct roles and the actors that can probably portray them, including boys playing young women. It notes that women of different social background were performing in the country from the late medieval period to the Restoration. It adds that such individuals have taken part as players in entertainments.