Stratford Society talk by Prof Emma Smith "Myths about Shakespeare" 15th Jan 2024

[@brutusalwaysminded]

Thanks for this! ❤

[@apollocobain8363]

I know we are all here to just say and hear very nice things about Shakespeare but "second best bed" cuts Anne off from anything else. It is like writing "I leave to her one shilling." Clearly there is an issue between them when he has that added. After the will was found in 1747 the problematic phrase was transcribed in 1763's Biographia Brittanica as "brown best bed". The scandal was postponed over one hundred years.

[@adama8570]

Brilliant! But why the poor picture quality (360)?

[@stratfordsociety]

I'm still learning, and using an inexpensive external camera.

[@adama8570]

@@stratfordsociety I see. but even the simplest cameras/mobile phones do 1080p

[@floatingholmes]

By your logic, Shakespeare’s lack of leaving anything for the local school implies a great love for the school. His preference for enumerating the dispensing of spoons over the mention of his library of books (which isn’t mentioned at all) indicates he loved his books more than his spoons- etc. Other writers of the time did indeed write about their feelings and passions in their wills. They guided the distribution of their property according to these expressed feelings, both stated and implied. Shakespeare is no different. He cared not to support the local school and, thus the lack of any mention of it. He cared about his spoons and mentioned them. He mentions no books because he didn’t have any (not even a Bible)- we know because other wills mention these expensive items. The “second best bed” is exactly what it sounds like- an insult-as evidenced by comparing this will to thousands of other contemporary wills. It is an insult to the woman he was forced to marry when she was pregnant and when he was engaged to another woman. It’s an insult- to a woman he left at home, penniless, when he traveled to London to work in theater, where he had no experience to recommend him. The evidence is all on the side of a rough marriage. Only invention and wishful thinking can make it seem otherwise. The real question is WHY? Why are you saying these bizarre things?

[@stratfordsociety]

I think you should contact Prof Emma Smith.

[@vetstadiumastroturf5756]

@@stratfordsociety Wasn't that your job in the first place? Maybe Emma Smith would like to offer clarifications in light of the previous comment, insightful and erudite as it was.