Lecture 7.2. William Shakespeare. Life. Work. Controversy. Sources

8/11/2019 Lecture 7.2. William Shakespeare. Life. Work. Controversy. Sources

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WILLIAM SHAKESPEAREWILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

(1564(1564--1616)1616)


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life the first documentary reference: the parish Register from Stratfthe first documentary reference: the parish Register from Stratfordord--

uponupon--Avon recording WilliamAvon recording Williamss baptismbaptism onon April 26, 1564April 26, 1564 --

GuiliamusGuiliamus filiusfilius JohannesJohannes ShakspereShakspere,, that is,that is, William son ofWilliam son of

JohnJohn ShakspereShakspere ((the third child of eight born tothe third child of eight born to JohnJohn andand MaryMary

Shakespeare, but the first son, and the first child to survive pShakespeare, but the first son, and the first child to survive pastastinfancy.) (infancy.) (the date of birththe date of birth most likelymost likelyApril 23, 1564April 23, 1564))


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ShakespeareShakespeares birthplaces birthplace


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life

ShakespeareShakespeares father,s father, John ShakespeareJohn Shakespeare:: a tanner,a tanner,

gloveglove--maker and dealer in agricultural products, whomaker and dealer in agricultural products, who

also held a number of public offices over a twenty yearalso held a number of public offices over a twenty yearperiod, ranging from Borough Aleperiod, ranging from Borough Ale--Taster to alderman toTaster to alderman to

bailiff, the highest public office in Stratfordbailiff, the highest public office in Stratford--uponupon--AvonAvon

(by that time, a prosperous market centre for the county(by that time, a prosperous market centre for the countyof Warwickshire in the rural heartland of England)of Warwickshire in the rural heartland of England)

ShakespeareShakespeares mother,s mother, Mary ShakespeareMary Shakespeare (born Mary(born Mary

Arden) : the daughter of a wellArden) : the daughter of a well--toto--do landowner in ado landowner in alesser branch of an aristocratic family from thelesser branch of an aristocratic family from the

neighbouringneighbouring WilmcoteWilmcote..


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Mary ArdenMary Ardens houses house


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life Education:Education: up to the crisis of his fatherup to the crisis of his fathers fortune (about 1577)s fortune (about 1577) -- thethe

Stratford Grammar SchoolStratford Grammar School established by the corporation of the town asestablished by the corporation of the town as

early as 1553.early as 1553. This is where Shakespeare learntThis is where Shakespeare learnt small Latin and less Greeksmall Latin and less Greek..

(Ben Jonson,(Ben Jonson, To the Memory of My Beloved Master William ShakespeareTo the Memory of My Beloved Master William Shakespeare))


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life the next official public record on William Shakespeare: a 40 pouthe next official public record on William Shakespeare: a 40 poundnd

marriagemarriage bond of sureties posted by two Warwickshire farmers onbond of sureties posted by two Warwickshire farmers on

November 28, 1582November 28, 1582 for thefor the legalitylegality of the marriage between Williamof the marriage between William

Shakespeare (Shakespeare (WilliamWilliam ShagspereShagspere) (18) and Anne Hathaway () (18) and Anne Hathaway (AnneAnne

HathweyHathwey) (26).) (26).


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life the next public recordthe next public record:: May 26, 1583May 26, 1583, Shakespeare, Shakespeares first daughters first daughter

Susanna was christened.Susanna was christened.

February 2, 1585February 2, 1585:: the christening of the twin childrenthe christening of the twin children HamnetHamnetandand JudithJudith,, sonnesonne and daughter to Williamand daughter to William ShakspeareShakspeare..

Unfortunately,Unfortunately, HamnetHamnet, Shakespeare, Shakespeares only son, died at the age ofs only son, died at the age of11 and was buried at Stratford in 1596.11 and was buried at Stratford in 1596.

15851585--1592: only vague information about his life in London1592: only vague information about his life in London

about 1587about 1587-- fleeing Stratford for Londonfleeing Stratford for London (caught poaching(caught poaching deerdeer

in the park of the influential Sir Thomas Lucy atin the park of the influential Sir Thomas Lucy at CharlcoteCharlcote?);?); theatrical careertheatrical career:: accepted as an actor in the company of theaccepted as an actor in the company of the

Earl of Leicester, as his name appears in casts of players for BEarl of Leicester, as his name appears in casts of players for BenenJonsonJonsons plays;s plays;

1592: Robert Greene1592: Robert Greeness AA GroatsworthGroatsworth of Wit Bought with aof Wit Bought with aMillion of RepentanceMillion of Repentance:: an upstart Crow, beautified with ouran upstart Crow, beautified with ourfeathers, that with his Tigerfeathers, that with his Tigers heart wrapped in a Players heart wrapped in a Players hide,s hide,supposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as thesupposes he is as well able to bombast out a blank verse as the

best of you: and being an absolutebest of you: and being an absolute Johannes FactotumJohannes Factotum, is in his, is in hisown conceit the only Shakeown conceit the only Shake--scene in the country.scene in the country.


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life 15921592--9393: during the plague, the: during the plague, the

theatres were closedtheatres were closed 1593: the1593: thenarrative poemnarrative poem Venus and AdonisVenus and Adonis;;1594: the narrative poem1594: the narrative poem The Rape ofThe Rape ofLucreceLucrece, both dedicated to Henry, both dedicated to HenryWriothesleyWriothesley, Earl of Southampton., Earl of Southampton.Some of theSome of the sonnetssonnets may have alsomay have alsobeen composed during the same period.been composed during the same period.

15951595: Shakespeare: Shakespeare an importantan importantmember of the Lord Chamberlainmember of the Lord Chamberlains Men.s Men.

15961596-- 15991599: The College of Heralds: The College of Heraldsgranted a coat of arms to the familygranted a coat of arms to the familypatriarch, John Shakespeare.patriarch, John Shakespeare. The grantThe grant

was approved on the basis of thewas approved on the basis of thefaithefullfaithefull & approved service to H7& approved service to H7[Henry VII][Henry VII]performed by Johnperformed by Johns greats great--grandfather, and because John himselfgrandfather, and because John himselfhadhadmaryedmaryed thethe daughterdaughter & one of the& one of the

heyrsheyrs of Robert Arden ofof Robert Arden of WellingcoteWellingcote..


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15971597: Shakespeare, aged 33,: Shakespeare, aged 33,had alreadyhad already improved hisimproved hisfortune and bettered hisfortune and bettered hissocial status.social status. HeHe investedinvested60 pounds in New Place, the60 pounds in New Place, thesecond largest house insecond largest house inStratford, with two barns andStratford, with two barns andtwo orchards attached.two orchards attached.


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From 1598, ShakespeareFrom 1598, Shakespeares name began to appear upon published plays:s name began to appear upon published plays:Richard IIIRichard III,, Richard IIRichard II,, LoveLoves Labours Labours Losts Lost.. ((Titus AndronicusTitus Andronicushad also been published but anonymously in 1594.)had also been published but anonymously in 1594.) appreciated byappreciated byhis contemporaries, e.g.his contemporaries, e.g. FrancisFrancis MeresMeres ((PalladisPalladisTamiaTamia, Wits Treasury, Wits Treasury--

1598):1598): praising Shakespearepraising Shakespeares poetrys poetry the two narrative poems,the two narrative poems, VenusVenusand Adonisand Adonis andand The Rape ofThe Rape of LucreceLucrece,, and theand the SonnetsSonnets and thenand thencomparing Shakespeare tocomparing Shakespeare to PlautusPlautus in comedy and toin comedy and to SenecaSeneca in tragedy.in tragedy.

16011601:: ShakespeareShakespeares name was related to that of the Earl of Essexs name was related to that of the Earl of Essex

conspirers against Queen Elizabeth I (the performance of his placonspirers against Queen Elizabeth I (the performance of his playyRichard IIRichard II by Shakespeareby Shakespeares company, the Lord Chamberlains company, the Lord Chamberlains Men).s Men).Nonetheless, that did not affect ShakespeareNonetheless, that did not affect Shakespeares popularity at the royals popularity at the royalcourt: during the last ten years of Elizabethcourt: during the last ten years of Elizabeths reign, the Lords reign, the LordChamberlainChamberlains Men performed at court thirtys Men performed at court thirty--two times, compared totwo times, compared to

thirtythirty--seven performances by all other companies combined.seven performances by all other companies combined. 16031603: The royal documents mention Shakespeare as one of the sharers: The royal documents mention Shakespeare as one of the sharers

of the Kingof the Kings Men (the former Lord Chamberlains Men (the former Lord Chamberlains Men) and 5 yearss Men) and 5 yearslater, he becomes an owner of the Blackfriars Theatre with a sevlater, he becomes an owner of the Blackfriars Theatre with a seventhenthshare.share.


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ShakespeareShakespeares Lifes Life16071607: Shakespeare: Shakespeares eldest daughter Susanna married Dr. John Hall and ones eldest daughter Susanna married Dr. John Hall and oneyear later, in February 1608, her only child Elizabeth was born.year later, in February 1608, her only child Elizabeth was born.

16091609

: Shakespeare: Shakespeare

s sonnets weres sonnets were

piraticallypiratically

printed, apparently withoutprinted, apparently without

their authortheir authors knowledge or consent.s knowledge or consent.


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16101610--1111: Shakespeare retired from London to: Shakespeare retired from London toStratfordStratford--uponupon--Avon at New PlaceAvon at New Place to lead the life of ato lead the life of a

country gentleman, taking interest in municipal affairs orcountry gentleman, taking interest in municipal affairs orreceiving visits from his old friends Ben Jonson and hisreceiving visits from his old friends Ben Jonson and hisfellow actorsfellow actors HemingeHeminge, Burbage and Condell., Burbage and Condell.

16111611: He was one of a number of citizens who: He was one of a number of citizens who

contributed to the maintenance of highways in thecontributed to the maintenance of highways in theStratford area.Stratford area.

1612:1612: He was in London, giving evidence in a civil suitHe was in London, giving evidence in a civil suitbrought by a Londonbrought by a London tiretire--makermaker against a formeragainst a former

apprentice.apprentice. June 29, 1613June 29, 1613: the performance of the play he wrote: the performance of the play he wrote

in collaboration with John Fletcher,in collaboration with John Fletcher, Henry VIIIHenry VIII TheTheGlobe burned to the ground.Globe burned to the ground.


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ShakespeareShakespearess LifeLife

March 25, 1616March 25, 1616:: He revised and signed his will.He revised and signed his will.

April 25, 1616April 25, 1616: his burial recorded in the Stratford Parish Register,: his burial recorded in the Stratford Parish Register,

but he died onbut he died on April 23April 23

(this is the date given on the funerary(this is the date given on the funerarymonument erected before 1623).monument erected before 1623).

buried on April 25, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, wheburied on April 25, 1616 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford, where here hehad been baptised just over 52 years earlier. His epitaph:had been baptised just over 52 years earlier. His epitaph:

Good friend for Jesus sake forbearGood friend for Jesus sake forbear

To dig the dust enclosed here!To dig the dust enclosed here!Blest be the man that spares these stones,Blest be the man that spares these stones,And curst be he that moves my bones.And curst be he that moves my bones.

(In 1741, a monument was erected to his memory in the Poets(In 1741, a monument was erected to his memory in the PoetsCornerCornerof Westminster Abbey. The house where he was born was purchasedof Westminster Abbey. The house where he was born was purchasedfor preservation as a National Memorial in 1847 and the Firstfor preservation as a National Memorial in 1847 and the FirstShakespeare Memorial TheatreShakespeare Memorial Theatre now the Royal Shakespeare Theatrenow the Royal Shakespeare Theatrewas opened in 1879.)was opened in 1879.)


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ShakespeareShakespeares Wills Will the executors:the executors:my sonmy son--inin--law, John Hall, gent. and mylaw, John Hall, gent. and my

daughter Susanna, his wife.daughter Susanna, his wife.


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ShakespeareShakespeares Legacys Legacy

Between 1594Between 1594--1598, some of1598, some ofShakespeareShakespeares plays appeareds plays appeared

in small, cheap quartos, hastilyin small, cheap quartos, hastilycompiled for quick sale duringcompiled for quick sale duringhis lifehis life.. At his death, in 1616,At his death, in 1616,18 quartos of his plays had18 quartos of his plays hadbeen printed, the text havingbeen printed, the text having

been pirated from stagebeen pirated from stagecopies.copies.


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16231623 The First FolioThe First Folio In 1623, ShakespeareIn 1623, Shakespeares fellows fellow

actors Johnactors John HemingeHeminge andand

Henry Condell published theHenry Condell published thefirst complete editionfirst complete edition alsoalsoknown as theknown as the First FolioFirst Folio containing 36 plays in all. Thecontaining 36 plays in all. The

soso--calledcalled DoeshutDoeshut portrait ofportrait ofthe poet was on the title pagethe poet was on the title pageand Ben Jonson composed theand Ben Jonson composed theverse accompanying it. The textverse accompanying it. The text

of Shakespeareof Shakespeares First Folio wass First Folio wasin double column format,in double column format,totalled 908 pages and sold fortotalled 908 pages and sold for

1.1.


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ShakespeareShakespeares Works Work The first period of creation (1589The first period of creation (1589--1600):1600):

Before about 1594:Before about 1594: Four history playsFour history plays (Henry VI, Parts One, Two,(Henry VI, Parts One, Two, andand ThreeThree

15891589--15911591; Richard III; Richard III 15921592--15931593)) Two narrative poemsTwo narrative poems (Venus and Adonis(Venus and Adonis 15921592--1593;1593; TheThe

Rape ofRape of LucreceLucrece 15931593--15941594))

A comedy in the style ofA comedy in the style of PlautusPlautus (The Comedy of Errors(The Comedy of Errors --

15891589))A comedy in the courtly style ofA comedy in the courtly style of John LylyJohn Lyly (The Two(The Two

Gentlemen of VeronaGentlemen of Verona 15921592--15931593))

A farcical comedy which today we might call a problemA farcical comedy which today we might call a problem

comedycomedy (The Taming of the Shrew(The Taming of the Shrew 15931593--15941594))A tragedy of blood in the style ofA tragedy of blood in the style of KydKyd (Titus Andronicus(Titus Andronicus --

15891589))

Some of theSome of the sonnetssonnets (1592(1592--1598)1598)


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ShakespeareShakespeares Works Work The first period of creation (1589The first period of creation (1589--1600):1600):

To about 1600:To about 1600: Two profoundly original comediesTwo profoundly original comedies (Love's Labours Lost(Love's Labours Lost 15931593--

15941594, A Midsummer Night, A Midsummer Nights Dreams Dream 15951595--15961596)) A history, not part of a group of history playsA history, not part of a group of history plays (King John(King John

15961596--15971597))

A tragedy of youth, love and fateA tragedy of youth, love and fate (Romeo and Juliet(Romeo and Juliet 15911591--

15951595)) A comedy that seems at times more like the tragedy of itsA comedy that seems at times more like the tragedy of its

supposedsupposed villainvillain (The Merchant of Venice(The Merchant of Venice --15961596--15971597))

Four histories, written over several yearsFour histories, written over several years (Richard II(Richard II --15951595--15961596, Henry IV, Parts One and Two, Henry IV, Parts One and Two 15961596--15971597, Henry V, Henry V

15971597--15991599)) A tragedy set in Roman timesA tragedy set in Roman times (Julius Caesar(Julius Caesar 15991599--16001600))

A group of three great romantic comediesA group of three great romantic comedies (Much Ado About(Much Ado AboutNothingNothing 15971597--15991599, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, As You Like It, Twelfth Night 15991599--

16001600)) A comedy of the fat knight, Falstaff, originally created in theA comedy of the fat knight, Falstaff, originally created in the

history playshistory plays (The Merry Wives of Windsor(The Merry Wives of Windsor 15971597--15991599))


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ShakespeareShakespeares Works Work

The second period of creation (1600The second period of creation (1600--1608):1608): One of ShakespeareOne of Shakespeares finest tragediess finest tragedies (Hamlet(Hamlet -- 16011601--16021602))

Two dark comediesTwo dark comedies (All's Well That Ends Well(All's Well That Ends Well --16021602--16031603,,Measure for MeasureMeasure for Measure 16031603--16041604))

A disturbing play that defies categoryA disturbing play that defies category (Troilus and Cressida(Troilus and Cressida16011601--16021602))

A tragedy of love and jealousyA tragedy of love and jealousy (Othello(Othello 16021602--16031603))

A tragedy of old age, of parents and childrenA tragedy of old age, of parents and children (King Lear(King Lear -- 16051605))

A tragedy of power, of husband and wifeA tragedy of power, of husband and wife (Macbeth(Macbeth 16051605--16061606))

An odd and possibly unfinished tragedyAn odd and possibly unfinished tragedy ((TimonTimon of Athensof Athens --16051605--16091609))

A tragedy of Rome, Egypt, power and loveA tragedy of Rome, Egypt, power and love (Antony and(Antony andCleopatraCleopatra 16071607--16081608))

A tragedy of Rome and power, of mother and childA tragedy of Rome and power, of mother and child (Coriolanus(Coriolanus

16071607--16081608))


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The Shakespearean ControversyThe Shakespearean Controversy

17691769:: Herbert Lawrence challenged for the firstHerbert Lawrence challenged for the firsttime the ascription of the plays to Williamtime the ascription of the plays to WilliamShakespeare, the minor actor and mild StratfordShakespeare, the minor actor and mild Stratford

bourgeois.bourgeois. TheThe BaconianBaconianTheoryTheory

18571857:: Delia BaconDelia Bacon, an American writer of plays and, an American writer of plays andshort stories, published a book arguing thatshort stories, published a book arguing that SirSirFrancis BaconFrancis Bacon, the great Elizabethan philosopher,, the great Elizabethan philosopher,was, most likely, one of the authors ofwas, most likely, one of the authors of

ShakespeareShakespearessplays.plays.

Mark TwainMark Twain

was also a proponent of Bacon in hiswas also a proponent of Bacon in his

bookbook Is Shakespeare Dead?.Is Shakespeare Dead?. He could not say forHe could not say forcertain who wrote the plays, but said that he wascertain who wrote the plays, but said that he was

quite composedly and contentedly sure thatquite composedly and contentedly sure thatShakespeareShakespeare didn'tdidn't,, and strongly suspected thatand strongly suspected thatBaconBacon diddid..


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The Shakespearean ControversyThe Shakespearean Controversy a modern group ofa modern group of unorthodoxunorthodox oror antianti--

StratfordianStratfordian scholars = thescholars = the OxfordiansOxfordiansEdward deEdward de VereVere, the 17th Earl of, the 17th Earl ofOxfordOxford.. TheThe OxfordiansOxfordians claim that the playsclaim that the plays

of Shakespeare reveal an aristocraticof Shakespeare reveal an aristocraticsensibility, an intimate familiarity with the lifesensibility, an intimate familiarity with the lifeand manners of the court, and a level ofand manners of the court, and a level ofeducation and worldly experience that wouldeducation and worldly experience that wouldseem beyond a barely educated commoner.seem beyond a barely educated commoner.

ProsPros: uncanny correspondences between de: uncanny correspondences between deVereVeress copy of thecopy of the Geneva BibleGeneva Bibleand Biblicaland Biblicalreferences in Shakespearereferences in Shakespeares playss plays (Roger(RogerStritmatterStritmatterss doctoral dissertationdoctoral dissertation Edward deEdward deVereVeress Geneva BibleGeneva Bible, defended at the, defended at the

University of Massachusetts at Amherst inUniversity of Massachusetts at Amherst in20012001))

ConsCons:: Oxford died in 1604, before suchOxford died in 1604, before suchmasterpieces asmasterpieces as MacbethMacbeth,, Antony andAntony andCleopatraCleopatra, and, and The TempestThe Tempest are generallyare generallyaccepted to have been written.accepted to have been written.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-de-Vere-1575.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Edward-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TheThe MarloviansMarlovians: Calvin Hoffman: Calvin Hoffmans book,s book, TheTheMurder of the Man Who Was "Shakespeare"Murder of the Man Who Was "Shakespeare"(1955):(1955): MarloweMarlowe known by historians toknown by historians tohave been a spy in Elizabethhave been a spy in Elizabeth IIss secret servicesecret service

did not die in 1593 in Deptford, on the banksdid not die in 1593 in Deptford, on the banksof the Thames, but faked his own death andof the Thames, but faked his own death andfled England to escape the notorious Starfled England to escape the notorious StarChamber, Protestant EnglandChamber, Protestant Englands equivalent ofs equivalent ofthe Inquisition.the Inquisition. He is said to have settled inHe is said to have settled inItaly, where his artistic developmentItaly, where his artistic developmentaccelerated amidst the late Italianaccelerated amidst the late ItalianRenaissance.Renaissance. HHe sent back the plays he wrotee sent back the plays he wrotein exile to his patron in England, Sir Thomasin exile to his patron in England, Sir Thomas

WalsinghamWalsingham, cousin of Sir Francis, cousin of Sir Francis WalsinghamWalsingham,,ElizabethElizabeths spy master. After having the workss spy master. After having the worksrecopied in another hand,recopied in another hand, WalsinghamWalsingham thenthenpassed the plays on to a convenient front manpassed the plays on to a convenient front man

the actor William Shakespearethe actor William Shakespeare whowhobrought them to the stage.brought them to the stage.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Christopher_Marlowe.jpg


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TheThe MarloviansMarlovians -- Pros:Pros: striking similarities between Marlowestriking similarities between Marlowes works and thoses works and those

attributed to Shakespeareattributed to Shakespeare ((lines and passages from Marlowelines and passages from Marlowess

plays and poems that are echoed, if not quoted verbatim, inplays and poems that are echoed, if not quoted verbatim, inShakespeareShakespearess).).

TheThe StratfordiansStratfordians -- Cons:Cons:

such similaritiessuch similarities -- proof only of the fact that the Bard borrowedproof only of the fact that the Bard borrowedrather liberally (not to say stolen) from his contemporaries.rather liberally (not to say stolen) from his contemporaries.

differences in the two playwrightsdifferences in the two playwrights styles: Shakespeare appearsstyles: Shakespeare appears

much slower in terms of innovation, but excels in some aspectsmuch slower in terms of innovation, but excels in some aspects

of playwriting (i.e. feminine characters and comedy) in whichof playwriting (i.e. feminine characters and comedy) in whichMarlowe was deficient.Marlowe was deficient.


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ShakespeareShakespeares sourcess sources Preliminary difficulties in identifying ShakespearePreliminary difficulties in identifying Shakespeares sources:s sources:

Many Elizabethan books and many plays which Shakespeare mayMany Elizabethan books and many plays which Shakespeare mayhave known have been lost.have known have been lost.

The extent of ShakespeareThe extent of Shakespeares knowledge of foreign languages iss knowledge of foreign languages is

still a matter of debate.still a matter of debate. There is still controversy about the relation of some ofThere is still controversy about the relation of some ofShakespeareShakespeares plays to other plays of the period.s plays to other plays of the period.

The officially acknowledged sources:The officially acknowledged sources:

HolinshedHolinshed

s chronicless chronicles

provided Shakespeare with the plots ofprovided Shakespeare with the plots of

Richard IIIRichard III,, Richard IIRichard II,, Henry IVHenry IV,, Henry VHenry V,, Henry VIHenry VI,, MacbethMacbeth andandKing LearKing Lear..

PlutarchPlutarchss Lives of the Noble Grecians and RomansLives of the Noble Grecians and Romans(translated by Thomas North in 1571) provided the plots in(translated by Thomas North in 1571) provided the plots in JuliusJulius

CaesarCaesar,,Antony and CleopatraAntony and Cleopatraandand CoriolanusCoriolanus.. Italian sourcesItalian sources were used, at least partly, inwere used, at least partly, in Romeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet,,

The Merchant of VeniceThe Merchant of Venice,, Much Ado about NothingMuch Ado about Nothing,, OthelloOthello,,Measure for MeasureMeasure for Measure..

English pastoral romancesEnglish pastoral romances like Greenelike Greeness PandostoPandostoand Lodgeand LodgessRosalyndRosalyndwere also exploited in plays likewere also exploited in plays likeAs You Like ItAs You Like It..

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Lecture 7.2. William Shakespeare. Life. Work. Controversy. Sources

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