Taking Sides on Shakespeare
Monday, July 7th by scott malia
A recent item again resuscitated the debates about Shakespeare’s authorship. What set this article apart from the usual blurbs was its focus on the angle of celebrity endorsements. In other words, the article name-dropped famous folks like Freud and Welles as notable non-believers. The author gave particular attention to Mark Twain whose 1909 humorous pamphlet, “Is Shakespeare Dead?” was quoted within the article. What struck me was the notion that an argument could be given strength simply based on who agrees with it.
The timeliness of this approach to the authorship debate parallels the current political climate. As we rapidly approach the conventions and the fall elections, it seems as though every celebrity is picking a side. In both Shakespearean scholarship and politics, which kinds of celebrities are most useful? It seems as though there is a curious dichotomy in both: expertise versus fame. Politicians and Shakespeare experts have insider status and clearly know their stuff, but I’m not convinced of their power to sway the average person. Actors and musicians are repeatedly written off as bimbos and political dilettantes, yet their name recognition might resonate better with someone who is not an expert in either field. Mr. Twain’s ironic question still resonates, though perhaps Shakespeare’s name should be put in quotation marks. The follow-up question is whether or not his lack of endorsement still resonates today. In certain circles, it certainly would; in others, it might prompt the question, “Is Mark Twain dead?”
