As someone who loves, has studied and currently teaches Shakespeare, I found that some of the points raised in this book to be really interesting. Well researched and written by someone with a clear plan in mind, this book is a deep dive into the changing world of Shakespeare, as well as those who came before him and influenced his work and those of is contemporaries.

This book was much heavy in history and in-depth research than i had expected. In the beginning, Gilbert makes it clear that this is not an analysis of language Shakespeare uses but rather a discussion of what that language means. I had originally thought the book would be about the former, but did learn some new details that I had not covered in my degree or research I have conducted myself to assist in my teaching.

I would recommend this book for those with an interest in the historical impact on language and culture, as well as those looking for a more detailed and specific insight into the works of William Shakespeare..

"Shakespeare Beyond Science" looks at the language that Shakespeare uses and explores how this language was a challenge to the world developing around him. In an era when science was becoming popular, when people could make observations about the world around them, did they still need the poetical, flowery language of Shakespeare? I was hoping to learn more about the time Shakespeare was writing, how people thought and spoke, and maybe learn to see both language and Shakespeare's language in particular, through the lens of the Elizabethan world view. Instead, "Shakespeare Beyond Science" became a very scholarly exploration of philosophical and rhetorical styles and views and I was almost instantly in over my head. I kept going, hoping it would begin making sense, but I never really understood the arguments Gilbert was making.

This is definitely not a book for the casual reader, but for the more scholarly and philosophy- oriented reader.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is one of the most in-depth, yet simple, approaches to Shakespeare's language that I have ever come across.
In Shakespeare Beyond Science, the author is more interested in discussing how the Bard uses language, instead of what he means by it. As the title suggests, language is approached as a scientific subject. From the beginning of the book, Sky Gilbert states they are not to interpret Shakespeare's oeuvre, but rather to analyze his language as a tool to convey stories, emotions, jokes, criticism, and reflection on humankind.
The text is supported by studies of various scholars and philosophers, as well as historical facts. The arguments are illustrated by quotes, characters and plots from Shakespeare's plays, and by his sonnets' verses. I especially liked the discussion around his sexuality, the way sexuality was perceived at his time, and the sexuality his characters performed.