This volume investigates the evolution of Shakespearean reception by compiling primary critical responses from the seventeenth century. Brian Vickers, a distinguished scholar in Renaissance literature, curates a comprehensive collection of contemporary commentary to illustrate how early readers and critics interpreted Shakespeare's plays. The work provides a chronological framework that allows researchers to trace the shifting reputation of the playwright from the publication of the First Folio through the end of the century.

Scholars and students frequently cite this volume as a foundational resource for understanding the historical reception of Shakespeare's work. Experts highlight the meticulous archival research and the utility of the primary source material for academic study.