The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 12.1174  Tuesday, 22 May 2001

From:           David Linton <
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Date:           Saturday, 19 May 2001 12:12:23 -0400
Subject:        Weird Appropriations

Richard III as role model for lovers?

The summer 2001 mail order catalog called SIGNALS, "Gifts that Inform,
Enlighten, and Entertain," includes on page G of the special summer
insert an ad for "Shakespeare's Richard III Ring."  The picture shows
two of the rings, one in sterling silver, on sale for $29.99 and one in
14k gold for 199.99, and the copy reads: "'Look how this ring
encompasseth thy finger.' Words of love from the Bard's Richard III are
engraved inside a simple band.  On the outside: 'Richard III, act I,
scene ii, line 204.'. . . Story card included."

I haven't yet seen the card and am almost tempted (almost) to fork out
the bucks to see how Richard is presented as a model for lovers.

I would appreciate hearing of other examples of this kind of strange
adaptation of lines and references in the interests of sales, promotion,
etc.

David Linton
Chair, Humanities Division
Marymount Manhattan College

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