While preparing for our in-depth studies on Shakespeare, I surrounded myself with all the materials I had in the house from books to DVDs.
Then I perused the internet to pull together a rhetoric literature studies surveying the works of Shakespeare.
DID SHAKESPEARE WRITE THE PLAYS?
Meanwhile my son had a question, which spurred questions from my daughter, which invited a mini-discourse I had previously and properly planned…now all naturally pouring forth through the various questions and comments from my kids.
Asking about how Shakespeare developed the sonnet form, where he got his ideas for writing, and if he actually wrote anything, they based their questions around recently made movies about Shakespearean that didn’t seem period accurate to them.
In fact, one article I read doubted whether Shakespeare actually wrote any of the plays or sonnets, later adding that if Shakespeare knew of the debate, he’d be delighted.
Laughing when I read that, it supports something “Mr. 18th century theater” from Colonial Williamsburg was recently telling us…that he didn’t think that the movie was meant to be historically accurate.
Nor was Shakespeare always accurate in his works either, he explained.
Instead, Shakespeare sort of spoofed everyone…sort of like how this movie spoofs Shakespeare.
That’s certainly a different way of thinking about the movie, helping us approach our study of Shakespearean literature through the lens of spoofing and humor, especially as we catch the inaccuracies.
CRITICS DON’T UNDERSTAND CLASSICAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL EDUCATION
Critics argue that Shakespeare did not write the plays, because he only had a grammar school education…which proves they have no idea of othe rigor a classical education entails.
Ah ha! If they had a classical education themselves, they would never have formed that opinion!
Since my kids and I are using the classical education model, we know that grammar school in Shakespeare’s time was more aggressive than colleges today.
FOLGER SHAKESPEARE LIBRARY
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, DC owns many primary source documents related to Shakespeare and provides a reading room for those doing scholarly research.
They conclude that based on all the evidence thus far, Shakespeare is the author of the famed dramas.
Also it is generally accepted that Shakespeare received a grammar school education, as was common for boys whose father’s held high positions in town, like his did.
CLASSICAL GRAMMAR SCHOOL STUDIES
In Shakespeare’s time and beyond, grammar school boys aged 7-9 studied Latin. After learning to parse Latin, they learn to read and memorize Aesop’s Fables in Latin. Then they read and memorize Virgil, Ovid, Plutarch, and many other Latin works, in Latin.
The classical model of education that began in Europe during the Middle Ages lasted into the 20th century, when public school education abandoned the Great Books and Latin for text books and learning trades.
Colleges in the 20th century became trade schools, where students learn a specialized course of study for one job: education, business, math, science.
Under the classical model, students were taught the tools of learning, so that knew how to teach themselves almost anything…and that is the basis of classical education today, as limited as it has become.
The only professions that required further education before, at least the 18th century, were clergy, medical doctors, and lawyers.
1947 DOROTHY SAYERS ADVOCATES TOOLS OF LEARNING
In 1947, Dorothy Sayers presented a speech at Oxford University that called for a return to the classical model to give our students “the tools of learning.”
MEMORIZATION A LOST ART
Classical education also involved memorization of large chunks of quality works of literature, which built language patterns in the brain which students could draw from when they begin their own composition work.
PATRICK HENRY
Patrick Henry had a classical education, schooled at home, taught himself to become a lawyer, passed the bar, won famed legal cases like the Parson’s Cause, and ignited a revolution to bring an end to tyranny.
In fact, Patrick Henry identified the tyranny before anyone else willingly admitted to it.
THOMAS JEFFERSON
Thomas Jefferson received a classical education from the College of William and Mary and wrote many well-known ideas from classical authors about freedom in the Declaration of Independence.
JAMES MADISON
James Madison received a classical education at Princeton University, introducing to the Constitutional Convention his ideas about self-government, based on studies of past governments’ successes and failures and classical political theories…many of which they were already aware and in agreement because they also had a classical education and were well read.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN
Although Benjamin Franklin had only a two year grammar school education, he persisted in teaching himself, which he records in his autobiography.
Renowned for his publications, inventions, and community service, he later represented America in Europe during the French and Indian War and during the American Revolution, and even signed his name to the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution.
Since he is known for his sharp wit…what if we could get him and Shakespeare in the same room together? 😉
GEORGE WASHINGTON
When Washington was 11 years of age, his father died, ending his education comprised of “a local school and…tutors.”
Although we don’t have documentation on exactly what that entailed for George, we do have accounts of tutors in other 18th century families preparing the boys for a higher education.
Often, that included a beginning study of Latin, history, and literature in preparation for a formal grammar school with a more aggressive curriculum.
With the money George’s father to begin his education, planning to continue his education, there must have begun at least an inkling of classical preparation which is still more than our two year ABCs and 123s.
Further, George teaching himself the trade of surveying involved learning trigonometry.
Mastering trigonometry in five years with so little apparent education is a big leap for a difficult trade to assume.
While surveying Virginia as a young man, Washington cleverly purchased prime real estate that helped him gain wealth.
Joining the militia, he attracted the attention of the royal governor of Virginia, who in 1753 appointed Washington an envoy to travel to today’s Pittsburgh to demand the French leave the area, since it belonged to the British, and to make peace with the Indians.
Eventually earning the rank of colonel, Washington was elected burgess for Fairfax Country in Virginia, attended the Continental Congress, became commanding general of the Continental Army, was president of the Constitutional Convention, and unanimously elected first president of the United States.
ROBERT CARTER III DISGRACED FOR WASTING EDUCATION DESPITE WEALTH
Robert Carter III, a contemporary of Washington, was one of the wealthiest men in Virginia, by virtue of being the oldest grandson of illustrious Robert “King” Carter.
Upon King Carter’s passing, the bulk of the family’s wealth, which was massive, passed to Robert III, a little boy whose father had died before the grandfather.
When Robert III came of age, he was sent to England for a formal education which he squandered.
As a result, he returned to Virginia in shame.
He couldn’t even find a wife in Virginia, so he found one in Maryland.
Not able to be elected as burgess, because of his squandered education, he gleaned an appointment to the Governor’s Council in Virginia, through the help of his father-in-law who had connections with the crown in England.
Learning the hard way, Robert Carter III amassed an impressive library for his children, and provided them with a tutor form Princeton College, from whom we have the 1774 journal of Philip Vickers Fithian, who records numerous details.
SHAKESPEARE AUTHOR OF THE PLAYS
So…why not Shakespeare?
