Shakespeare's plays often reflect the squalor and poverty that he saw in London. In his play "Henry V," he describes the city as "a city of mud and filth." In "King Lear," he writes about the "poor inhabitants of the town, who daily break the laws of nature in pursuit of their miserable trade." And in "Romeo and Juliet," he describes the city as a place where "every man's purse is at his neighbour's throat."
Despite the squalor, Shakespeare also found beauty in London. He was inspired by the city's vibrant life and its many cultures. He wrote about the city's street performers, its markets, and its theaters. And he celebrated the city's diversity, its energy, and its potential for greatness.