This includes:
* Historical context: Understanding the time period in which the work was written, the social and political climate, and the events that were happening at the time. This helps the reader understand the author's motivations and the issues being addressed.
* Cultural context: Understanding the cultural norms and values of the society in which the work was written. This helps the reader interpret the characters' actions and motivations, as well as the meaning of symbols and metaphors.
* Authorial context: Understanding the author's life experiences, beliefs, and biases. This helps the reader understand the author's perspective and the message they are trying to convey.
For example, to fully understand the meaning of Shakespeare's play "Hamlet," it's important to consider the historical context of Elizabethan England, the cultural context of the time, and Shakespeare's own life and experiences. Without this context, the play's themes of revenge, betrayal, and madness might be lost on the reader.