The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 23.142  Saturday, 31 March 2012

From:        Larry Weiss < This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it >

Date:         March 30, 2012 11:17:57 PM EDT

Subject:     Re: Fat

>I am very much interested in the concept of topical allusions. 

>I’m not sure if I wholly, totally agree with what Weiss says 

>about how they “did not advance the action of the play.”

I am not guilty of such a generalization.  Some topical allusions are thematic or otherwise contribute to the understanding of the play, at least in its historical context, such as the Chorus’s reference in Henry V to Essex’s Irish expedition.  Others are mere inside jokes that add nothing to the play, although they might be interesting in themselves.  I suppose the “little eyases” are in that category.