Monthly Archives: November 2011

Still harping on First Folios with Eric Rasmussen

Not many books in themselves become the focus of other people’s work, but the 1623 edition of Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories and Tragedies, commonly known as the  First Folio, is no ordinary book. Professor Eric Rasmussen has just paid a flying … Continue reading

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What can doctors learn from Shakespeare?

It’s long been acknowledged that Shakespeare took a great interest in medicine and psychology, and this week the BBC picked up a new article written by Dr Kenneth Heaton indicating that doctors might do well to study Shakespeare to improve … Continue reading

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Celebrating Shakespeare as a symbol of Britishness

In a recent survey, William Shakespeare came out top when people were asked to choose which symbol of Britishness they were most proud of. The Demos thinktank’s report A Place for Pride found that 75% of people agreed that “I … Continue reading

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The mysterious Passionate Pilgrim and Shakespeare

I’ve been spending some time just recently re-reading James Shapiro’s great book 1599, which I strongly recommend if you haven’t already read it. It focuses on a single year, decisive in Shakespeare’s creative life as well being as the year … Continue reading

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Shakespeare and the first actresses

The National Portrait Gallery in London’s new exhibition celebrates the careers of the earliest English professional actresses. Entitled The First Actresses: Nell Gwynn to Sarah Siddons it neatly documents womens’ increasing respectability in the world of the theatre. In Shakespeare’s … Continue reading

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Facts, fiction and Shakespeare’s view of history

It’s always claimed that Shakespeare must have been fascinated by British history because he wrote so many plays about it. I make the play count thirteen. But was this fascination with the history itself, or did he see it as … Continue reading

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A Monty Python view of the authorship question, by Eric Idle

Over the past months I’ve read dozens of pieces about the authorship question and although many of them have been very much worth reading, this article from the New Yorker is the only one that has made me laugh. The … Continue reading

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Robin Hood and Shakespeare

A new play by David Farr, called The Heart of Robin Hood, is just about to open at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The legend of Robin Hood is a great subject for the RSC as it was obviously a story … Continue reading

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The Shakespeare blog hits 100!

Yes this is my 100th post since I started The Shakespeare Blog just over six months ago. It’s a good time to reassess the site, and over the past week I’ve been planning a few changes which will go live … Continue reading

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Shakespeare’s King Lear and possession

A few weeks ago I attended one of the Shakespeare Club in Stratford-upon-Avon’s lectures given by Professor Ewan Fernie, on King Lear. It was a thought-provoking look at some of the darkest scenes in this already dark and gruelling play. … Continue reading

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