Bard Bits: Dusting off Bill
Yup, I’m a Shakespeare fan. I even reference my appreciation as a Bardinator, meaning I’ll be back for more in a determined manner (sans the accent).
Some use the term Bardolator, but I can’t say I idealize Shakespeare. I’m still learning about him, hence my given term, since I keep coming back for more.
But I used to think WS was a phoney baloney.
*Gasp*
I know.
I fault my public education’s failure to introduce me to Shakespeare. Nothing in elementary or middle school and just a squeak of a mention in high school. Okay, I did watch Zefferelli’s R&J in the theater and was caught up in the drama, although understanding the dialogue was challenging. That Renaissance English floated over my adolescent head.
I didn’t fully understand Shakespeare beyond I knew he wrote some famous plays and had some poetry creds.
Then I got my teaching gig and realizing Romeo and Juliet was in the curriculum I quickly got myself up to speed.
Long story short I became known as the Shakespeare Lady at school. And over the years have had a fine time getting to know more about the Bard of Avon.
I even visited the Folger Library, which brings me to the important point: even though Shakespeare is such an incredible influence why is there so little known about him?
That niggling doubt of “Was Bill for real?” pops up. Which brings me to the discovery of this article.
It makes sense doesn’t it? Why haven’t historians done the CSI thing sooner and dust for prints or his DNA before?
To think a bit of William might be found cozied in books he could have read is fairly cool. It makes me rethink how much of me is left behind in all those books I’ve read.
I’m with David Tennant on the question of whether or not of Bill. I don’t really care. I simply enjoy his works. And I’ll be back for more.
Pam Webb 