True fact - The first performance of Romeo and Juliet in America had a son playing Romeo to his mother's Juliet.Appartently having sisters play both parts was also common. I wasn't the only one who found Romeo to be a bit of a wuss.This book explains and examines the influence that Shakespeare has had not only on literature and language, but on society in general. Some of the facts, I already knew, such as the connection to starlings. Some I didn't or at least didn't really think about - Shakespeare and teens. Sometimes Marche seems to be pushing too much, but his comments are thoughtful and he deals not only with history but why we should read Tolstoy's thoughts on the bard.An enjoyable read.
