Cracking open Shakespeare's First Folio at the Blue Boar Tavern

November 8, 2023 marks the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare's First Folio. Ever since its publication in 1623, Shakespeare enthusiasts have been discussing this book's peculiar intro materials, that uncanny portrait, and the identity of the playwright.
Blue Boar Tavern regulars Bonner Cutting, Earl Showerman, Dorothea Dickerman, Tom Woosnam, and bartender Jonathan Dixon bend an elbow and mull over the oddities of the Folio. They chat about the political situation surrounding its publication, Ben Jonson's role (and his relationships with the Veres and Herberts), Martin Droeshout's enigmatic portrait engraving, and how Stratfordian folk heroes Heminges and Condell probably didn't "just put it together."
Recorded on December 15, 2022.
Learn more at shakespeareoxfordfellowship.o...

[@duncanmckeown1292]

Always love these friendly, and informative discussions! I am actually drinking Earl Grey right now! The First Fraudio anniversary is upon us!

[@k.f.5438]

I really enjoy this channel!

[@apollocobain8363]

21:05 James nationalizes the Virginia company = pressure on the deVere family. 26:34 deVere "grand possessors" vs Puritan censors of comedies 32:10 Folger says there was "no editor" for 1623 folio -Bonner 35:02 1200 pounds to print folio vs 5 pounds per play 37:50 from 1619 to 1623 Ben Jonson lives at Gresham College = perfect office and resources for the project. Is "JM" John Marsten (1576-1634)? Marsten is co-authro fo 1605 Eastward Ho satirizing Virginia aspirations. 44:12 five Avons (rivers), ten Stratfords (town names) -- avon means river; stratford means bridge over the river; akin to straddling the fjord

[@chancecolbert7249]

Seems to me Swan of Avon is not a reference to Susan Vere Herbert, but to her mother in law, Mary Sidney Herbert. In the quarto of Sejanus, Ben Jonson mentions he had help on the performed version of the play. Several poems were printed along with the play, one by a "Cygnus," aka The Swan. Mainstream scholars have surmised this is 'Shakespeare.' I definitely don't think the Swan is Oxford. It seems to me the ambiguity in the prefatory material, specifcally Jonson's dedication, is purposefully so because it references more than one person. Mary, Philip, DeVere, Bacon et al are likely referenced. A similar phenomenon can be found in The Sonnet title page. Tom, if you want to know how unravel this, well you guys gotta go beyond only Oxford at some point to get to some real answers. Fulke Greville's presence should point to that. Furthermore, this unqualified treatment of Ben Jonson is gonna get you guys into hot water. Ben Jonson is a poet-ape if there ever was one. Find out the real hand(s) behind BJ. I would say the same of Marston. Whoever Marston is, I don't think he's a huge fan of Oxford (see The Malcontent.) Thanks for the video!

[@taihastings3097]

Apropos of the Stratford Upon Avon question, I gather that Avon is an old Celtic word meaning river and Stratford (by the Thames in East London) is as close to Hakney as you're likely to get. Could it possibly be...?? These conversations are like an oasis in the desert!

[@taihastings3097]

So so interesting!! Also in the Merriam-Webster dictionary (on line) it states: Scottish MON-I-MENT 'mänimənt' = a person who's behaviour or actions provoke ridicule. The Scottish National Dictionary (1866), states: mon(n)iment, monyment, - mint. Sc. Forms and usage of Eng. monument, fig. "of...one who is... prominent for some objectionable or ridiculous quality, a" sight", a laughing stock, a "monument" of iniquity, a reprobate, rascal, a silly or impudent person". I can't imagine who could possibly fit THAT description, except "upstart" and "crow" just spring to mind!!

[@MrAbzu]

What seems to be overlooked is the criminal nature of these public playhouses. Even Ben Jonson spent time in jail for murder, and Christopher Marlowe was likely murdered by three friends seeking to welch on debts. Shakespeare purchased the second largest house in his home town and has a rap sheet to suggest where the money came from. Was playwriting a Lordly endeavor or did it stop short with the submission of material for writing plays. The true nature of the relationship and involvement of the seedy, criminal class and their betters may never be known. It may be more honest to substitute a knife or Billy stick for the quill in the hand of Shakespeare's monument. Finding context may be the most difficult thing of all.

[@joecurran2811]

Interesting and adds to the stigma of print theory. Why did some theaters have a criminal element to them?

[@chancecolbert7249]

Good point Mr.Abzu! The one that stands out most to me is Thomas Dekker. Supposedly he is in prison for like 6 years in the 1610's for a debt to John Webster's father. Supposedly Dekker didn't write during this period of imprisonment. The whole thing is uniquely bizarre.

[@martinlivesley1069]

And the criminal nature of the Court..

[@WightMoon61]

So Swan isn't referring to a Penn or the fact that swan feathers were the best quills for pens, Pen of Hampton

[@avlasting3507]

Recorded Dec 15, 2022? I'm confused.

[@shakespeareoxfordfellowship]

Yes, it was a members-only event from last year that we are now posting publicly to celebrate the Folio 400.

[@claudiaxander]

@@shakespeareoxfordfellowship So it's definitely too late to order any pork scratchings, dratts!

[@shakespeareoxfordfellowship]

Not too late to pre-order for the next BBT though... ;)

[@FGoodman114]

@@claudiaxander I'll mail you some of the leftovers! Jonathan

[@SaxoFilmaticus]

I have some questions to the presenters about a fictional character who could have been the author for some projects I am working on. Please advise