The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 17.0328  Thursday, 20 April 2006

From: 		Frank Whigham <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>
Date: 		Wednesday, 19 Apr 2006 16:05:02 -0500
Subject: 17.0321 Elizabeth I Questions
Comment: 	Re: SHK 17.0321 Elizabeth I Questions

Donna Lodge <This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.>

 >I'm a writer working on a novel, a historical drama, that takes
 >place during the time of Will Shakespeare. This listserv has been a
 >gold mine of information.
 >
 >I'm looking for web sources for several pieces of information:

You need to go to paper sources on this for serious data. Relying solely 
on web sources on Shakespeare is asking for trouble.

 >1) What was the perception of Elizabeth I writings by her peers and
 >successful and/or acknowledged writers of her reign? Were her
 >letter, poems, speeches, etc., considered well-written? Was
 >Elizabeth I judged to be an accomplished writer (given her
 >education), or was there no criticism/scrutiny of her work for fear
 >of reprisals?

I believe Roger Ascham, one of her teachers, discusses her wonderful 
education somewhere, and might yield some data. Puttenham's Art of 
English Poesy (1589) speaks repeatedly of her skill as a poet, though 
his meaning is tricky, as here, for instance, in an introductory statement:

But you, Madam my most Honored and Gracious: if I should seem to offer 
you this my device     

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