An historian's reconstruction of the years when Shakespeare seems, for all practical purposes, to have dropped out of sight. Analyzes the Bard's literary output prior to 1592 and that produced afterwards, all of which, the author claims, intentionally reflect the social, literary, or political affairs of the day. This year also marks the beginning of Shakespeare's friendship with the Earl of Southampton, which also may have affected the tenor of his writings. ""Mr. Acheson's books are entertaining and abound in suggestions which are worth further investigation. They strengthen the reader's impression of the actuality of Shakespeare."" LITERARY REVIEW.