Thank you, that's all really fascinating. And as Shakespeare becomes primarily a playwright, rather than a poet with a patron, the relationship with Southhampton naturally becomes distant again?
It puts Shakespeare in the role of Fool, of licensed truth-teller, which is a very ambiguous one.
I notice Will says he would become "Will Summers" if he remained at Tichfield - that's Henry's VIII's fool I think - so he's maybe aware of this aspect of their relationship, and obviously not comfortable with it? I do like the conversation about writers and motivation and how he wouldn't be able to write at Tichfield - partly, I always like it when Forest gives some clues to what I take to be her own motivations and creative process (I'm assuming there's no way of knowing what Shakespeare actually thought about this - unless there are actually references in the plays?) But I also wonder if Will is giving a bit of an excuse because he doesn't like the idea of becoming the dependent of an aristocrat, as much as because he thinks he wouldn't be able to write?
I'll add that I absolutely love the character of Will - one of Forest's best (and I don't agree with one of the intro essays suggesting he's essentially Rowan). I also very much like Humfrey. And although the run up has been diverting with hoys and falconery etc I am glad when they finally appear, as if the book is getting down to things at last. I do think it's a book very much about friendship, broadly defined, and Will and Humfrey are Nicholas's most important friendships.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Marlowe/Essex/Southampton/Shakespeare
Date: 2015-05-02 04:54 pm (UTC)It puts Shakespeare in the role of Fool, of licensed truth-teller, which is a very ambiguous one.
I notice Will says he would become "Will Summers" if he remained at Tichfield - that's Henry's VIII's fool I think - so he's maybe aware of this aspect of their relationship, and obviously not comfortable with it? I do like the conversation about writers and motivation and how he wouldn't be able to write at Tichfield - partly, I always like it when Forest gives some clues to what I take to be her own motivations and creative process (I'm assuming there's no way of knowing what Shakespeare actually thought about this - unless there are actually references in the plays?) But I also wonder if Will is giving a bit of an excuse because he doesn't like the idea of becoming the dependent of an aristocrat, as much as because he thinks he wouldn't be able to write?
I'll add that I absolutely love the character of Will - one of Forest's best (and I don't agree with one of the intro essays suggesting he's essentially Rowan). I also very much like Humfrey. And although the run up has been diverting with hoys and falconery etc I am glad when they finally appear, as if the book is getting down to things at last. I do think it's a book very much about friendship, broadly defined, and Will and Humfrey are Nicholas's most important friendships.