Shakespeare's Spy
Encyclopedia
Shakespeare’s Spy is a 2003 young adult novel, written by Gary Blackwood
. The novel is a historical fiction novel and takes place in Elizabethan England.
. Widge’s love for the stage and his talent in shorthand make him a valuable member of the troupe.
When valuable costumes are disappearing from the theatre, all suspicions turn toward Widge, the former thief. To prove his own innocence, Widge becomes a spy to investigate a rivaling theatre company, run by Philip Henslowe, to find the real thief and traitor. After deciphering a coded message from Mr. Henslowe's study, Widge discovers that Ned Shakespeare, William Shakespeare's brother, stole the costumes and sold them, using the money to recover his many gambling debts.
Gary Blackwood
Gary Blackwood, born on October 23, 1945 in Meadville, Pennsylvania, is an American author of popular books for young readers including The Shakespeare Stealer, Shakespeare's Scribe, and Shakespeare's Spy.-Works:...
. The novel is a historical fiction novel and takes place in Elizabethan England.
Plot summary
Widge, a fifteen-year-old orphan, is now an apprentice actor of the Lord Chamberlain's MenLord Chamberlain's Men
The Lord Chamberlain's Men was a playing company for whom Shakespeare worked for most of his career. Formed at the end of a period of flux in the theatrical world of London, it had become, by 1603, one of the two leading companies of the city and was subsequently patronised by James I.It was...
. Widge’s love for the stage and his talent in shorthand make him a valuable member of the troupe.
When valuable costumes are disappearing from the theatre, all suspicions turn toward Widge, the former thief. To prove his own innocence, Widge becomes a spy to investigate a rivaling theatre company, run by Philip Henslowe, to find the real thief and traitor. After deciphering a coded message from Mr. Henslowe's study, Widge discovers that Ned Shakespeare, William Shakespeare's brother, stole the costumes and sold them, using the money to recover his many gambling debts.
Characters
- Widge: A fifteen-year old orphan boy talented in shorthand, who was recruited to steal Shakespeare's HamletHamletThe Tragical History of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, or more simply Hamlet, is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written between 1599 and 1601...
by his previous master. He is now an apprentice under Shakespeare and takes up the name "James" at the conclusion of the novel.
- William 'Will' Shakespeare: A famous playwright and one of the "sharers" of the Lord Chamberlain's MenLord Chamberlain's MenThe Lord Chamberlain's Men was a playing company for whom Shakespeare worked for most of his career. Formed at the end of a period of flux in the theatrical world of London, it had become, by 1603, one of the two leading companies of the city and was subsequently patronised by James I.It was...
.
- Ned Shakespeare: Will's brother, who has many gambling debts.