In "Shakespeare: The World as Stage," Bill Bryson explores the social structures of Shakespeare's time, particularly focusing on how food consumption was governed by social status. The elite classes enjoyed more courses during their meals, reflecting their higher social standing, while the lower classes faced limitations on their dining experiences. This practice highlighted the disparities among different societal groups in England during the Elizabethan era.

Restrictions on food not only indicated wealth but also signified the importance placed on social hierarchy in that period. The control over how many courses one could eat served as a symbol of power and privilege. Bryson's insights illuminate how fundamental aspects of daily life, such as meals, were deeply intertwined with social identity and class distinctions in Shakespeare's time.