Shakespeare Jest-Books: Reprints of the Early and Very Rare Jest-Books Supposed to Have Been Used by Shakespeare

"Shakespeare Jest-Books" by William Carew Hazlitt is a collection of early jest books, written in the mid-19th century. This work provides a reprint of rare jest books believed to have influenced Shakespeare, including "A Hundred Mery Talys" and "Mery Tales and Quicke Answers." The content reflects the humor of the time, characterized by anecdotes and tales that often involve clever wordplay or humorous situations involving various characters. The opening of this collection includes an introduction that details the historical significance of these jest books, highlighting their role in shedding light on Shakespearean references and the societal attitudes of the Elizabethan era. It introduces various tales, such as amusing exchanges between characters and comical situations that reveal aspects of human behavior and folly. Through anecdotes involving priests, wives, and other characters, the stories aim to entertain while providing moral lessons, immersing readers in a time when storytelling was a popular form of entertainment.