Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners: with Dissertations on the Clowns and Fools of Shakspeare; on a Collection of Popular Tales Entitled Gesta Romanorum; and on the English Morris dance.

"Illustrations of Shakspeare, and of Ancient Manners" by Francis Douce is a scholarly book that investigates William Shakspeare's plays and the culture of his time, written to give deeper insights into the cultural origins of Shakespearean plays. This book highlights the importance of understanding old customs to fully grasp Shakspeare's meanings, giving special attention to the roles and meanings of clowns and fools, which are present in the plays. Also explored are old stories, like "Gesta Romanorum" and the historical significance of dances like the English morris dance. The book begins with Douce's reasons for writing the book and how it helps readers who want to learn more about Shakespeare. It also acknowledges other scholars who worked in the field before him. The author is trying to make the difficult parts of Shakspeare's work easier to understand by studying the relationship between his plays ancient society, clarifying obscure passages and deepening our understanding of Shakespeare's characters and themes.