William Shakespeare

[Jacqui]

It's William Shakespeare's birthday !!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY !!

FezzJohns Inc is having a party to celebrate this momentous occasion :D

[Grubendol]

Is that using the Greogorian or Julian calendar? ;)

[Dave Nelson]

And I thought he was dead. What fools these mortals be.

[Grubendol]

I pray thee cease thy counsel, Which falls into mine ears as profitless as water in a sieve.

[Jacqui]

I also forgot to tell you that this is the day the Conch Republic was founded.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conch_Republic

(Another reason to have a party)

[hcjilson]

Coincidently, I just finished an article in the Smithsonian Mag which gives a pretty compelling argument that Shakespeare wasn't the real author, just a front man. If you are interested you can find it here:

http://www.smithsonianmag.com/people...akeapeare.html

[Grubendol]

There have been dozens of books about that theory, and its even been mentioned tangentially in some novels (including one I read recently).

I think the general consensus is that he actually wrote the stuff, though maybe with help.

[hcjilson]

Grubie, first read the article, then tell me about the theory that's been kicking around for years. The acutal consensus is that he probably did not write the stuff and there are a number of supporting arguments to that effect. To me, most compelling was the fact that Shakespeare had a basic grammar school education, far below what we consider high school today. Yet he was well versed in the Classics.(not possible with a grammar school education.) He never traveled further than southern England yet could describe the lay of the land in the courts and capitals of Europe. If he were that important at the time, he would not have been buried in an unmarked grave. Methinks something is rotten in the state of Denmark! ( I've been waiting a long time to get that into a thread without violating posting guidelines!!:bbg::bbg::bbg:

How are you enjoying parenthood??

[Uncle Fester]

I'm partial to the theory the works were by Francis Bacon.

Those FreeMasons were secretive fellows.;)

[hcjilson]

I'm partial to the theory the works were by Francis Bacon.

Those FreeMasons were secretive fellows.;)

With some trepidation I must report that I am the first male member of my family in at least four generations that has not become a fellow traveler.

[Uncle Fester]

With some trepidation I must report that I am the first male member of my family in at least four generations that has not become a fellow traveler.

Well why not? Our first tenent is; "To unite men of every country sect and opinion and conciliate true friendship among those who might otherwise remain at a perpetual distance." Me thinks we need it now more than ever! Oh we also can't take "old men in their dotage" so let me know if you need a Cape contact.:)

[Andrew Weiss]

To me, most compelling was the fact that Shakespeare had a basic grammar school education, far below what we consider high school today. Yet he was well versed in the Classics.(not possible with a grammar school education.) He never traveled further than southern England yet could describe the lay of the land in the courts and capitals of Europe. If he were that important at the time, he would not have been buried in an unmarked grave

You could also say that he met a lot of people in his work as an actor and theater director, that he heard many stories about different areas of the world; that one does not have to have a formal education to learn how to read and to be well-read; and that Shakespeare may not have been as well-regarded in his own time as he was after his death (there were many other, equally well-regarded actors/directors/playwrites in Elizabethan England).

Sorry, it's the old English major talking. ;)

My favorite line: "Now the, Sir John, how long hast it been since thou saw'st thine own knee?" (Henry IV Part 1)

Happy Birthday, Will, even if thou wast not the man who wrote what hast been attributed to thee.

[hcjilson]

Andrew, you definitely should read the article....if only to find out what he left his wife in his will. Apparently he was not a very nice man!

Uncle Fester. Many Thanks for the offer but many of my friends are fellow travelers and they're still trying...even though I am approaching dotage!

[Grubendol]

Whether or not he was nice was never really the question ;)

But, to get back on point, my wife has Bachelor's in English and is a bit of a Shakespeare nut. We have all of his printed works and several books about his life. Pretty familiar with the materials you've mentioned.

There have been all kinds of theories on who wrote, including English nobles who wouldn't be "allowed" to write stage plays at that time. Bacon is a common argument as well....even his wife has been suggested.

[hcjilson]

Have you read the article yet?

[Grubendol]

I must confess I have not….newborn at home, craziness at work…yknow how it is? ;)

[Andrew Weiss]

Andrew, you definitely should read the article....if only to find out what he left his wife in his will. Apparently he was not a very nice man!

I'll read the article over the weekend, Harry. Yes, I knew Shakespeare wasn't a nice guy in some ways; "typical MCP" (anyone remember what that stands for?) in many respects.

The argument about Shakespeare has always been that a significant group of people, mostly academics, cannot believe that someone without a tertiary education, a reading knowledge of Latin and Greek, and of such low birth could possibly have written such powerful, beautiful and profound stuff. In the end, we'll never know; but I've frequently found that I learned more about the perspective of the authors of the article -- and their prejudices about people, intelligence, creativity and education -- than I have about Shakespeare, whomever he was.

[hcjilson]

I think you will enjoy the article. Even Shakespeare's likeness is probably someone else! It's an easy read.