So I’m over at the Boston Public Library again today, and I notice something.  Somebody correct my knowledge, which I’m pulling strictly out of my brain.  I was under the impression that dear W S never actually spelled his own name as “Shakespeare” the way we do.  Is this correct?  What I noticed at the BPL exhibit is that nearly all of the books, First Folios and Quartos alike, all clearly spell it Shakespeare (sometimes Shake-Speare), with a small handful of exceptions.  How’d that happen, exactly?  When did we standardize on the Shakespeare spelling, and was it while the man was still alive?  I would have believed that the Folios, published after his death, might have evolved the spelling in the years that passed.  But most of the Quartos, published in WS’s lifetime, spell it that way as well. I googled quickly and found this portion of the authorship debate, but truthfully I’m at work and don’t have the time or patience to wade through it.  So I turn instead to my audience.  Who’s got the scoop?

http://www.shakespearepost.com/2008/08/19/shakespearean-theatre-director-named-winner-of-international-ibsen-prize/ Brook’s production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream in 1970 is considered one of the most important Shakespeare productions of the 20th century. The play featured trapezes, juggling, and circus effects to create a sense of magic and a celebration of the imagination. The production continues to serve as a benchmark for theatre critics and directors alike.

http://chronicle.com/temp/email2.php?id=rMz5ZGfscDQq6mkby2kjG4TtCqPGXbsf I’m trying to get all the details on this story, which I’ve just tripped over. Apparently Arden terminated the contract of Patricia Parker, professor of English at Stratford University, who was working on a new edition of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (for something like 10 years!).  Well, people are going bananas, and there’s a petition demanding her reinstatement. Arden’s making no public statement on the reason for her termination, but Parker herself says that “failure to meet deadlines” was the reason given to her.    Normally I’d think that letting somebody out of a contract is no big cause for alarm, but when you realize that she’s been working on this thing for 10 years, and then they up and fire her under suspicious circumstances — keeping her work, by the way, and not saying what will happen to it — you do have to wonder if perhaps a little more detail should be forthcoming.    Anybody got more gossip?

I just wanted to take a moment to thank all my contributors for making ShakespeareGeek what it’s all about.  Go look at some of the recent threads on Gertrude, or the essence of tragedy in Romeo and Juliet.  All I do is put a question out there.  Look at the answers.  Look at their length, their detail, and most of all their quality.  Look at the variety of opinions, and the range of experience of the people answering.  I love it.  I learn something new every day.  I’m glad we seem to be getting back into that level of discussion, that’s my favorite. I don’t have anything to give away at the moment other than blog time, so that’s what I’ll give.  Got something to plug?  Let’s hear it.  Consider this post an open invitation to link back to the project of your choice (preferably Shakespeare related!).  It’s not spam if I openly ask for it. Who’s first?  Don’t be shy.

Picking up on something Main Man said in the “Did Gertrude Know?” thread, let me ask a followup question:

What do you think Hamlet’s relationship was with his father?

I bring this up because in one response MM asks, “why is Hamlet at Wittenberg if he is so close to his father (particularly at 30)? Could it be that Hamlet’s paternity could be in doubt?”  and then later he states, “He does want Hamlet to avenge “his death,” but I do not think they have a good relationship.”   I happen to agree.  I’ve always thought Hamlet’s father to be something of a scary man, a very imposing, warlike king.  Impressive to his subjects, certainly – but a loving, affectionate dad?  Maybe not so much.  So I think much of Hamlet’s hesitation comes out of a fear to acknowledge his true feelings about his dad.  He wants to be all Fortinbras, mobilizing armies in his quest for revenge, but he ends up more Laertes, saying the words and claiming that he’ll do whatever must be done, but then never going through with it.  (It’s always been my position that what causes Hamlet to finally act is vengeance over the death of his mother.)