This work investigates the evolution of the concept of man within Shakespeare's plays, specifically how the transition from medieval to Renaissance thought informs his character development. Theodore Spencer, a noted scholar of the English Renaissance, utilizes a historical and philosophical framework to analyze how Shakespeare's changing view of human nature reflects the broader intellectual shifts of his time. By examining the tension between the ideal and the actual, Spencer argues that Shakespeare's work provides a unique record of the human condition during a period of profound cultural transformation.

Scholars frequently cite this text as a foundational study for understanding the intellectual climate of the Elizabethan era. Readers often note the academic density of the prose, which requires a solid grasp of Renaissance history to fully appreciate the author's arguments.