Current location:style >>
Row erupts over bizarre claim William Shakespeare's works could have been written by a WOMAN
style579People have gathered around
IntroductionWilliam Shakespeare's mastery of the English language has remained unchallenged for centuries.But a ...
William Shakespeare's mastery of the English language has remained unchallenged for centuries.
But a renowned literary institution has provoked anger by hosting a debate on whether some of the Bard's works could have been written by a woman.
Oliver Kamm, a journalist and author, has written to the Chairman of the London Library to complain about the 'wildly inappropriate' event and its 'promotion of a baseless and anti-intellectual conspiracy theory.'
The 19th century library, which contains one million books, is holding a panel discussion in June with Elizabeth Winkler, the author of the controversial book 'Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies', which explores 'who the Bard might really be.'
The book looks at 'how the forces of nationalism and empire, religion and mythmaking, gender and class have shaped our admiration of Shakespeare across the centuries.'
A row has erupted over the bizarre suggestion William Shakespeare's works could have been written by a woman
It analyses the 'literary taboo' not to question 'the identity of the god of English literature,' which it's been suggested could involve a 'forgotten woman, a disgraced aristocrat or a government spy' writing some of his works.
The London Library's discussion on such a divisive topic will also involve Sir Derek Jacobi, one of the great Shakesperean actors, and author and critic Stephanie Merritt.
However, Mr Kamm has written to library chairman Simon Goodwin to criticise the 'institution' for holding the event.
He described it as a 'grave misjudgement', adding: 'There is a cost to indulging conspiracy theories, evident in the coarsening of public discourse and the spread of irrationalism.'
Mr Kamm wrote: 'To host a 'conversation' with Shakespeare denialists is a betrayal of the values of literary scholarship and critical inquiry that we hold to.'
He likened it to the Royal Geographical Society holding a discussion with 'flat-earthers.'
Winkler's book explores arguments for possible Shakespeare author candidates including poet Emilia Bassano, playwright Christopher Marlowe, philosopher Francis Bacon and Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford.
But Mr Kamm commented that 'literary scholars dismiss these fantasies because there is zero evidence to support the notion of concealed authorship'.
The London Library (pictured) is holding a panel discussion with Elizabeth Winkler, the author of the controversial book 'Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies'
The London Library's (pictured) discussion on such a divisive topic will also involve Sir Derek Jacobi, one of the great Shakespearean actors, and author and critic Stephanie Merritt
Mr Kamm called on the library to add a Shakespeare specialist to the line-up such as Professor Emma Smith, an expert in Shakespeare studies at the University of Oxford.
Another critic of the event was Jonathan Beckman, editor of The Economist's 1843 magazine, who posted on X that he had also written to the director because 'the library is supposed to be a bastion of scholarship.'
The London Library was not available for comment.
Ms Winkler said her book and the London Library discussion was 'not suggesting Shakespeare was female.'
She said her book 'is about the theories that have been put forward over the centuries. It does not argue for any one of them in particular.'
Commenting on Mr Kamm and critics of the library event, she added: 'I'm not sure why these people feel so threatened by a simple library discussion.
'Arguments about the past are a fundamental feature of academic freedom and democratic debate.
'There is nothing dangerous or 'immoral' in exploring this subject. Shutting down discussion is obviously anti-intellectual.'
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Global Gateway news portal”。http://morocco.tokosaranateknik.com/article-59f599864.html
Related articles
With Djokovic awaiting the winner, Murray trails Hanfmann at rain
styleGENEVA (AP) — Needing a win to face Novak Djokovic next at the Geneva Open, Andy Murray was saved by ...
【style】
Read moreBlinken's Kyiv song choice raises eyebrows as Ukraine fights fierce Russian attacks
styleKYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Fresh from a day of delivering optimistic prognoses about how Ukraine would far ...
【style】
Read moreJapan, US move ahead in co
styleTOKYO (AP) — Japan and the United States on Wednesday signed an arrangement to jointly develop a new ...
【style】
Read more
Popular articles
- Bella Hadid goes braless in a thigh
- Amy Schumer puts on a stylish display in muted monochromatic red suit at star
- A fire at a marina in Croatia destroys 22 boats, causes huge damage but no injuries
- Young South Koreans are increasingly drawn to Buddhism via social media
- Strictly star Giovanni Pernice's former partner Rose Ayling
- A second scourge is battering Brazil's flooded south: Disinformation
Latest articles
Cannes 2024: Studio Ghibli takes a bow with an honorary Palme d'Or
Lisa Armstrong escapes to Portugal just 24 hours after being left 'deeply sad' by ex
South China Sea: Filipino activists, fishermen sail in 100
Blinken's Kyiv song choice raises eyebrows as Ukraine fights fierce Russian attacks
My fiancé died on the morning of our wedding day
Rapper Lil Meech takes his mom and grandma to a STRIP CLUB to get lap dances for Mother's Day
LINKS
- Campus protests: The history of 'outside agitators,' explained
- Celtic closes in on Scottish league title by beating Rangers 2
- West Bank settler violence: Burnt Duma a reminder of Palestinians' vulnerability
- Brazil floods: Forecast to worsen in south
- I'm a researcher who studies 100
- Netherlands' Joost Klein booted from Eurovision 2024
- Eurovision 2024: Dutch contestant Joost Klein kicked out
- Mariners' top reliever Matt Brash to miss the rest of season after Tommy John surgery
- Bedard scores twice as Canada rallies to beat Britain 4
- US says Israel’s use of US arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete