THE SHAKESPEARE COUNTRY

概要：

Shakespeare is indeed, as he has recently been acclaimed, the Man of the Millennium. Everywhere in the world people crowd to see his plays, and everywhere in the world they enjoy what they see - even if they hardly understand a word. The dramatist speaks from his heart to their hearts, as the Japanese say, "Ishin denshin." Nor are they content to see his plays, but they must needs visit the places associated with him, in the Shakespeare Country, in and around the town of Stratford-upon Avon, which is situated just to the North of the River Avon and in the neighbourhood of the Forest of Arden.
Shakespeare himself is called "Swan of Avon", because of the songs swans are supposed to sing before they die. In spite of the greatness of his plays, or because of it, he was a countryman, and it is of the dying tradition of "this England" that he sings in all his plays.