Elizabeth Winkler and Cathleen Schine | May 9, 2023
TLDRIn a thought-provoking discussion, Elizabeth Winkler and Kathleen Shine delve into the enduring mystery of the true authorship of William Shakespeare's works. Winkler's exploration challenges the traditional view of Shakespeare as the author, presenting various theories and candidates, including women and alternative historical figures. The conversation highlights the passionate and often emotional responses to these theories within the academic community, touching on broader themes of historical authority, the nature of genius, and the cultural significance of Shakespeare as a unifying figure in English literature.
Takeaways
- π The program discusses the authorship question surrounding William Shakespeare's works, exploring the possibility that someone other than the man from Stratford may have written them.
- π€ Elizabeth Winkler's book 'Shakespeare Was a Woman' delves into the personal and often humorous exploration of the authorship question, challenging the traditional notion of Shakespeare's identity.
- ποΈ The 1964 trial regarding the authorship question highlights the ongoing debate and the legal implications of challenging established scholarly opinions.
- π The lack of evidence in Shakespeare's will about his literary works contributes to the mystery and fuels the debate about the true author behind the plays.
- π The authorship question is not a modern invention; it has historical roots with many great writers and thinkers expressing doubts about the Stratfordian theory.
- π§ The various candidates proposed as the 'real' Shakespeare, including Francis Bacon, the Earl of Oxford, and even women like Emilia Bassano, each have their supporters and evidence to support their cases.
- π Actors and directors have differing views on the authorship question, with some being open to different interpretations and others firmly committed to the traditional view.
- π The book 'Shakespeare Was a Woman' approaches the authorship question as a mystery story, engaging readers with its suspense and intrigue.
- π The reverence for Shakespeare as a cultural icon has led to a reluctance among some scholars to question the authorship, fearing it might diminish his status and impact.
- πͺ The academic taboo surrounding the authorship question in English departments reflects a broader issue of scholarly complacency and resistance to questioning established narratives.
Q & A
What is the main topic of discussion in the transcript?
-The main topic of discussion is the authorship question surrounding William Shakespeare's works and the various theories and candidates proposed as the true author.
Who are Elizabeth Winkler and Kathleen Shine?
-Elizabeth Winkler is an author who has explored the Shakespeare authorship question in her work, and Kathleen Shine is a novelist who also discusses contemporary family issues through a historical lens in her writings.
What is the significance of the 1964 trial mentioned in the transcript?
-The 1964 trial is significant because it brought the question of Shakespeare's authorship to the courts, highlighting the ongoing debate and the lack of definitive evidence supporting the traditional attribution to William Shakespeare of Stratford.
What is the role of the Abel in the context of the transcript?
-The Abel is a membership organization that provided the venue for the program discussed in the transcript. It is also mentioned as a place that hosts various programs, including those not related to writer's block.
What is the Abel's relationship with the speaker?
-The speaker is a member of the Abel and appreciates the programs it offers, even those outside of writer's block programs. The speaker encourages others to join the Abel.
What is the speaker's view on the authorship question?
-The speaker is intrigued by the authorship question and appreciates the exploration of it, particularly because it challenges the mythologizing of William Shakespeare and questions the authority to determine historical truth.
What is the significance of the book 'Shakespeare was a woman' by Elizabeth Winkler?
-The book 'Shakespeare was a woman' by Elizabeth Winkler is significant as it explores the possibility that the author of Shakespeare's works could have been a woman, offering a fresh perspective on the authorship question.
What is the reaction of English Department Scholars to the authorship question?
-The reaction of English Department Scholars to the authorship question is largely negative, with many viewing it as a taboo subject and responding with contempt, eye-rolling, and even comparisons to conspiracy theories.
What historical figures have doubted Shakespeare's authorship?
-Historic figures such as Henry James, Mark Twain, and Walt Whitman have expressed doubts about the authorship of Shakespeare's works, suggesting that the name could be a pseudonym for someone else.
What is the speaker's approach to the authorship question in their book?
-The speaker takes an investigative and non-partisan approach in their book, exploring various theories andειδΊΊ without arguing for a specific author, allowing readers to make up their own minds based on the presented evidence and arguments.
Outlines
π€ Introduction and Welcome
The script begins with Andrea Grossman, the founder of Writer's Block, welcoming the audience to the 27th season's program featuring Elizabeth Winkler and Kathleen Shine. She thanks the audience for attending and acknowledges her partners at the Abel for providing the venue. Grossman emphasizes the importance of the Bell, a membership organization she's a part of, and encourages the audience to join. She sets the stage for the evening, highlighting the convergence of history, literature, and detective work in exploring the authorship of William Shakespeare's plays. Grossman also appreciates the literary detective work of Elizabeth Winkler and the contemporary family issues explored in Kathleen Shine's novels. The program's format is explained, with an emphasis on audience participation through questions. Books by the guests are available for sale, and the significance of the date of the event is mentioned, tying it to Dante's birthday and the release of Elizabeth's book, 'Shakespeare Was a Woman'.
π The Shakespeare Authorship Question
The paragraph delves into the controversy surrounding the authorship of Shakespeare's works. It describes the disdain and strong emotional reactionsε¦θ 们 have towards those who question the traditional view that William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon authored the plays. The script mentions the historical suspicion of great writers and thinkers, including Henry James, Walt Whitman, and Mark Twain, who believed the name 'Shakespeare' might be a pseudonym. The paragraph also recounts a 1964 trial where the authorship question was brought before the courts, highlighting the testimony of scholarly experts and the Justice's conclusion that the authorship question was not closed. The paragraph suggests that the authorship debate is not just about history but also about the authority to determine historical truth.
π The Search for the True Shakespeare
This section discusses the various candidates proposed as the true author behind the Shakespeare pseudonym, including Francis Bacon, the Earl of Oxford, Christopher Marlowe, and even female candidates like Mary Sydney. It explores the origins of these anti-Stratfordian camps and their defenders, highlighting the different pieces of evidence that support each theory. The paragraph also touches on the personal attachment people have to their preferred candidate and the fervor with which they defend their views. It mentions the lack of evidence about Shakespeare's education and his extensive knowledge displayed in the plays, which raises questions about how he acquired such learning. The paragraph concludes with a reflection on the academic taboo surrounding the authorship question and the personal and cultural investments in the Shakespeare myth.
π€ The Authorship Debate and Its Impact
The paragraph examines the emotional and psychological dimensions of the Shakespeare authorship debate. It suggests that the fervor on both sides of the argument may stem from personal attachments and projections onto the author. The script discusses the historical context of Shakespeare's veneration, particularly in the 18th century, and how this has influenced modern scholarship. It also considers the role of English departments in institutionalizing the worship of Shakespeare and the impact of this on the authorship question. The paragraph raises the possibility that the controversy surrounding the authorship question might be a metaphor for larger issues of historical truth and authority.
π International Perspectives on the Authorship Question
This section highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the Shakespeare authorship question and how it resonates with scholars from various fields outside of English literature. Historians, psychologists, and anthropologists are among those interested in the topic, each bringing their own perspectives and insights. The script mentions a history professor who considers it unethical for scholars to ignore alternate authorship theories and a psychologist who sees the question as relevant to understanding the nature of genius. The paragraph also notes the popularity of an authorship course taught at the University of York and the anthropological view that examining the authorship question is akin to asking the College of Cardinals to investigate the resurrection, emphasizing the cultural and group dynamics at play.
π Final Thoughts and Audience Interaction
The script concludes with the author's reflections on the authorship question and the reactions she has received from various scholars and departments. She discusses the fear that questioning Shakespeare's authorship might lead to a loss of interest in his works, comparing it to the reaction to biblical criticism in the 19th century. The author also shares her attempts to interview prominent scholars like Harold Bloom and James Shapiro, noting the latter's refusal to engage and his dismissal of the authorship question as a conspiracy theory. The paragraph ends with a mention of the author's book and an invitation for audience questions, emphasizing the ongoing nature of the debate and the importance of open inquiry.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Shakespeare Authorship Question
π‘Elizabeth Winkler
π‘Kathleen Shine
π‘Writer's Block
π‘Abel
π‘Stratford Standards
π‘Detective Work
π‘Heretics
π‘Literary Easter Eggs
π‘Consulars in Paradise
π‘Authorship Attribution
Highlights
The discussion revolves around the authorship question of William Shakespeare's works, exploring the possibility that someone other than the man from Stratford may have written them.
The event is hosted by Andrea Grossman, the founder of Writer's Block, and features Elizabeth Winkler and Kathleen Shine.
Elizabeth Winkler's exploration into the authorship question is both personal and often humorous, guiding through Anonymous attributions and studies of contemporary signatures.
Kathleen Shine's novels offer literary Easter eggs and examine contemporary family issues through a prism of humor and history.
The authorship question is described as a metaphor for the problem of history and the authority to determine the truth about the past.
The 1964 trial that questioned the authorship of Shakespeare's works is mentioned, highlighting the thin evidence supporting Shakespeare of Stratford as the author.
The speaker shares a personal connection to the Shakespeare authorship question, having studied Shakespearean school and later delving deeper into the mystery.
The reaction to Winkler's Atlantic article, which questioned Shakespeare's authorship, was polarizing and intense, with some attacking her as a conspiracy theorist.
Winkler's book, 'Shakespeare Was a Woman,' challenges the taboo of doubting Shakespeare's authorship and explores why this taboo exists.
The various anti-Stratfordian camps and their origins are discussed, including candidates like Francis Bacon, the Earl of Oxford, and female candidates.
The lack of evidence of Shakespeare's education and his extensive knowledge displayed in his plays is a significant point of contention.
The speaker mentions the personal attachment people have to Shakespeare and the fervor with which they protect the traditional view of his authorship.
The authorship question is likened to a game of Clue, with numerous suspects and a crime being the composition of the greatest works of literature in English.
The pursuit of truth in the authorship question is compared to the intrinsic virtue of a post-modern quest for understanding.
The speaker discusses the interdisciplinary nature of the authorship question, involving history, psychology, and cultural studies.
The event moderator shares personal experiences and perspectives on the Shakespeare authorship question, emphasizing the importance of inquiry and curiosity.
The conversation touches on the fear and psychology behind the reluctance to question established beliefs and the impact of paradigm shifts in academia.
The speaker highlights the need for a more open and objective approach to studying Shakespeare's works and the mystery surrounding the author's identity.
Transcripts
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