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| Wednesday, 25 August 2004 |
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Shakespeare finds his patron by Gwen Herat Shakespeare's first appearance in the literature world was not significant. He was opposed by an establishment, especially in the guise of Nashe and Marlowe who together with several others were known as the 'University Wits'. Marlowe who was a Master of Arts from Cambridge and known for his arrogance, was in celebration of his sudden triumphs over literary works, came up against a brilliant new figure from the world of actors much to their embarrassment and their genius. Danger threatened them because from the ignoramuses for whom they were written and barely able to declaim the finer passages by men of letters. Shakespeare found himself the thorn among them when as an actor took it upon himself to write, reshape and clip and add to his company's repertory a creation of plays that were to prove far superior to the manuscripts submitted by these university men who were snapping their fingers at the well-known actor's Company, the Lord Chamberlain's.
Greene who was at the tail end of his career was sharpened by jealousy when he discovered the enemy. He told his colleagues in 1592 about Shakespeare 'There is an upstart crowe beautified with our feathers that with his.' But Shakespeare was unhampered though driven here and there with five to six years in London. He had a passion for adventure and the stage and was determined to supply the needs of his father whose business was failing and a wife he married rashly when he was only 18 years old with three children of his own, the Bard had to look elsewhere for survival. Meanwhile, the triumphs of Kyd and Marlowe impressed him and the reaction of the audience intrigued him. He wanted to triumph in other ways. He wrote with fervour and he conquered not only the stage but the whole realm of the literary world. The 'University Wits' were feeling the heat and this playwright who had neither been to Oxford or Cambridge undoubtedly surpassed them even in the face of their attempt to disqualify him as a playwright emerging from an actors' company. But there were other academics who were taking a closer look at his work or rather the English he used in the plays. They were fascinated and impressed. One such person was Ben Jonson. Bubonic disease It was during the bubonic plaque that was an unpredictable fact in Elizabethan life that this terrible disease was spread by fleas and also carried by rats which thrived in the living conditions of London and other major cities. Although this was a set back in the early 1590s, Shakespeare was able to establish himself as a successful playwright. People were getting sick and succumbing to this plague with little medical attention as the river Thames stood as an open sewer where people dumped their rubbish and in the narrow streets. The plague became so over-bearing that anyone inflicted by it was isolated and left to die. For the benefit of all citizens the front doors of victims were marked with a red cross. It was a nightmare with these signs, the cries of the dying, and the cart wheels rolling through the streets carrying the dead towards communal burying pits were dreadful scenes and sounds of time the people came to recognise. The most violent outbreak came in 1592-3 where public meetings, theatre performances, street plays, schools etc. were closed down. Professional acting companies had to apply for licence to perform outside London. Although the plaque created such havoc, players nor the audience kept off for the moment. At this time, however, unknown to him of the conditions, Shakespeare was probably a member of a touring company but in the process, he developed another kind of work. He began to write poems and rearranged them for printing. He was aware that the benefit of publishing his poetry would attract a wealthy patron and open the doors for greater opportunities. The royalty and the wealthy had a passion for literary works and supported them. It was a custom that any printed matter or a book was entered on a system called the Stations' Register. Shakespeare's poem, "Venus and Adonis" was entered by its printer, Richard Field. Field was also a Stratford man like Shakespeare who had moved to London to embark on a successful career. "The Rape of Lucrece" was registered in May 1594 by another printer called John Harrison. Both poems were dedicated to a young nobleman, Henry Wriothesley, the Earl of Southamton who was wealthy, dashing and influential. Shakespeare was trying his best to get a patron and financial support to publish his works. The dedication to the young earl followed the fashion of the time and he succeeded. He exaggerated his high position making the poet very humble and Shakespeare wrote; ... only if your honour seem but pleased, I account myself highly praised... Shakespeare went on to assure that had the earl liked the first poem, something more serious would follow. The earl did and Shakespeare got his patron. Patron Venus and Adonis: We all know that Shakespeare often borrowed his plots from others. From the Roman poet, Ovid, based on one of his poems, Shakespeare wrote "Venus and Adonis" in his inimitable, elegant and witty way. The Bard was familiar with Ovid whom he studied at school. He did not attempt at a simple translation but opted to rewrite Ovid. He portrays Venus as the goddess of love courting the inexperienced Adonis who escapes her overtures and gets lost in the jungle. Because of its humour and sex, it was an immediate best seller. The reader of the day had never seen anything like that. "The Rape of Lucrece"; Yet another story borrowed from Ovid was more complex and serious and these poems helped Shakespeare to establish himself as a reputed and versatile poet apart from being a playwright. It attracted the sophisticated and the aristocratic who were more than willing to support and help him financially. He became an immediate success. William Shakespeare had arrived. **** Back **** |
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