The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 13.1517  Thursday, 13 June 2002

From:           David Evett <
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Date:           Wednesday, 12 Jun 2002 11:04:50 -0400
Subject: 13.1510 Re: Did Shakespeare Hate Actors?
Comment:        Re: SHK 13.1510 Re: Did Shakespeare Hate Actors?

As a player, Shakespeare might, not unreasonably, have been suspicious
of writers (the term hints at a broader and more appropriate range of
practices than 'playwright'). Hamlet's rather prissy advice to the
actors in Elsinore certainly suggests the basis for a potential clash.
He is of course spectacularly mistaken.  Mere 'writing', as Hamlet's
additions to the Murder of Gonzago demonstrate, and as we know today to
our cost, is no threat to anyone.

David Evett (with considerable help from Terence Hawkes.)

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