Category Archives: Shakespeare’s World

Edward Alleyn’s legacy and Shakespeare’s theatre

Posted on March 16, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Most of what we know about the elusive world of Elizabethan and Jacobean theatre is found in one unique collection of manuscripts. These are known as the Henslowe-Alleyn archive, working theatrical documents created by impresario Philip Henslowe and his illustrious … Continue reading →

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Shakespeare’s minds diseased: mental illness and its treatment

Posted on March 12, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Shakespeare was clearly fascinated by mental illness, many characters displaying a variety of symptoms from Lear’s madness, Jaques’ melancholy, Timon’s bitter cursing, Macbeth’s visions and Lady Macbeth’s sleepwalking, to the obsessiveness of Leontes.  It’s usually accepted that Shakespeare was influenced in medical matters by … Continue reading →

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Players in Stratford-upon-Avon: Robert Bearman’s latest discoveries

Posted on February 22, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

A few weeks ago Dr Robert Bearman wrote a piece for this blog explaining that he had rediscovered some evidence about touring companies visiting Stratford-upon-Avon in Shakespeare’s lifetime. He’s now found some more intriguing evidence relating to Stratford Corporation’s attitude to … Continue reading →

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The Phoenix and Turtle: Shakespeare’s Valentines

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Today we are celebrating St Valentine’s day by giving flowers, chocolates and cards decorated with symbols of hearts and roses to those we love. Traditionally it’s the day when birds pair up for the mating season, and Chaucer, writing in … Continue reading →

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Health and illness in Shakespeare

Posted on January 30, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Shakespeare’s interest in all things medical is well known, and Sujata Iyengar’s recent book Shakespeare’s medical language – a dictionary, published by Continuum, is a successful addition to the literature on the subject, both a fascinating read and a valuable reference … Continue reading →

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How chances it they travel? Players in Stratford-upon-Avon

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Historian Dr Robert Bearman has contributed today’s post, which revolves around a chance discovery which he made recently in the Shakespeare Centre Library and Archive. Those wishing to know more about Shakespeare’s life may fantasise about making a major archival … Continue reading →

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The Chinese New Year: looking forward to the year of the dragon

Posted on January 22, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Celebrations for the Chinese New Year, beginning on 23 January, are in full swing, and over one sixth of the world’s population will be marking the event. There’s even more excitement than usual as this is to be the most … Continue reading →

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Barren winter and the seasons’ difference

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Until a few days ago it looked as if we were getting the “hot January” which Beatrice claims to be so unlikely, the weather has been so mild.  On a country walk near Stratford last week we cast off scarves … Continue reading →

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How to tame your falcon – and your wife

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

A few days ago I was in a car travelling along a main road near Stratford-upon-Avon when a bird shot across the road then continued to fly alongside it at the bottom of the hedgerow, at the same speed as the … Continue reading →

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This learning, what a thing it is! Education and the written word

Posted on January 8, 2012 by Sylvia Morris

Tucked away on BBC4 on Thursday evening, under the title A Renaissance Education: the Schooling of Thomas More’s daughter, was what purported to be the story of one of the best-educated women in Tudor England, Margaret More. Even more tucked away … Continue reading →

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