The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.0646  Friday, 16 March 2001

From:           Larry Soller <
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Date:           Friday, 16 Mar 2001 07:05:35 -0700
Subject:        Re: Herbs

Having happily produced and performed in The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan,
I think we can assume that Shakespeare was very aware of the medicinal
attributes of herbs. John Hall's chronicle of their uses (that is John,
husband of Susannah) is available at the Folger and I am sure at other
places. In what is probably a fictional event, Willy appears at the end
of the play in an advanced state of syphilis to receive a "cure" of the
Venetian disease from the garden and dispensary of his daughter and
son-in-law. I actually had the bard brought in a "chair" at the end
which always brought a hush to the audience. Ah, well...

Larry Soller