Much Ado About Numbers
Shakespeare's Mathematical Life and Times
by Rob Eastaway
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Pub Date Sep 10 2024 | Archive Date Sep 09 2024
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Description
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Books on Shakespeare are plentiful, but until now there has never been a book written for a general audience about math and science in Shakespeare’s time and how they influenced his works.
Shakespeare grew up in a time of remarkable mathematical innovation. From astronomy to probability, music to multiplication, new mathematical ideas were taking off—and much of this was reflected in his work. In this highly engaging book, award-winning author Rob Eastaway explores the surprising and entertaining ways that mathematics and numbers crop up in Shakespeare’s plays.
We discover how Tudors multiplied, why Shakespeare never ended a line with the word orange, and why King Lear was every inch a king, and why early drafts of the plays could possibly have been written with a pencil. Shakespeare’s world was one in which one might expect to travel no more than a league in an hour, and fathoms and furlongs were as much a part of the language as feet and yards. It was hard to conceive of anything shorter than a minute and the rainbow probably had just five colors.
With historical asides about games, optics, astronomy, and music thrown in, you might never think about math or Shakespeare the same way again.
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9798893030303 |
| PRICE | $19.95 (USD) |
| PAGES | 224 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Robyn V, Bookseller
This is an adventurous and fun way to look and understand maths both now and in the Tudor period. Rob Eastway explores mathematics within the Tudor period, integrating Shakespeares plays and the mathematics in these. He takes us from astrology to pencils describing for each how maths played a big role within this.
I don't really enjoy maths but this was an accessible way to learn not only about maths but also about the Tudor period and the influence of maths within this. Eastway presents an interesting exploration of maths within the Shakespeare plays, he even delves into Shakespeares views and experiences of the new mathematics techniques that were arising within England during his life.
Much Ado About Numbers is a brilliantly executed read, both fun and informative.
Reviewer 725763
This book explores the surprising ways math influenced Shakespeare’s plays and the lives of his contemporaries. From astronomy and code-breaking to navigation and music, this book reveals the fascinating intersection of science and art in Tudor England. It’s surprisingly interesting and fun, bringing the sixteenth century to life in unexpected ways.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Moonkisz T, Reviewer
Oh, how happy am I to have found this book!!! Shakespeare + Numbers + Music + Words + language + Science + Pencils and soooooo much more! Accessible, even my 10+ grandkids will be soon possessed of Mr. Eastaway's incredible book. . . .
This book is a MUST for anyone who loves Shakespeare, numbers, shapes, colors, calendars, words we use every single day, days of the week, leap years, quarto printing on one sheet (did it myself), games - origin of games, useful appendices, Tudor academia, music, music, music (which is one of the maths) and the Seven Ages of Man. . .
For me this read was a multi-epiphany, or as Oberon says. .
And certain stars shot madly from their spheres. . . .
I'm buying this book for all my peeps. Brace yourselves, people. Do NOT miss this book. No library should be without a bunch of copies. (Note: read it with a pad and pen ready - you are going to want to work things out on paper - for fun!)
*A sincere thank you to Rob Eastaway, The Experiment, and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review independently.* #MuchAdoAboutNumbers #NetGalley
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