Provenance ownership, and of evidence left in books that shows how readers interacted with them. Provenance studies may shed light on the books themselves, providing evidence of the role particular titles have played in social, intellectual and literary history. Such studies may also add to our knowledge of particular owners of books. For instance, looking at the books owned by a writer may help to show which works influenced him or her. Many provenance studies are historically focused, and concentrated on books owned by writers, politicians and public figures. The recent ownership of books is studied, however, as is evidence of
To be, or not to be vndiſcouered Countrey, from whoſe Borne<br> No Traueller returnes, Puzels the will,<br> And makes vs rather beare those illes we haue,<br> Then flye to others that we know not of.<br> Thus Conſcience does make Cowards of vs all,<br> And thus the Natiue hew of Resolution<br> Is ſicklied o’re, with the pale caſt of Thought,<br> And enterprizes of great pith and moment,<br> With this regard their Currants turne away,<br> And looſe the name of Action. Soft you now,<br> The faire "Ophelia?" Nimph, in thy Orizons<br> Be all my ſinnes remembred. "To be, or not to be" is one of the most widely