Elizabeth Winkler and Cathleen Schine | May 9, 2023

www.writersblocpresents.com
Video: Karl Sonnenberg
Shakespeare wrote 38 plays and 154 sonnets. It is a truth universally acknowledged that he is the greatest writer in English literature. Writers Bloc does not and would not dispute that. Shakespeare’s personal biography has mystified academics and armchair fans and experts for centuries. So what happens when a scholar, or an actor, or any authority, suggests that perhaps those immortal plays weren’t all written by Shakespeare? Was the author an anonymous aristocrat? Or a spy? Perhaps a woman?
We’ve been presented with alternatives of authorship over the past 400 years. Elizabeth Winkler, author of Shakespeare Was A Woman and Other Heresies, explores with humor, fun, and hell-bent detection, all sorts of possibilities. She will ruffle elite and rigid academic feathers, no question. Citing contradiction after contradiction about William Shakespeare from Stratford, Winkler cites poets, Supreme Court Justices, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Freud, and others, in probing the mystery of the author’s true identity. But that’s only part of it. Winkler does much more than suggest alternatives; she delves into why doubters have been castigated, and thrown to the literary curb . No matter what side you’re on, Shakespeare Was A Woman And Other Heresies is more than a detective book for fans of Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets- it’s a fascinating and truly entertaining analysis of literary and cultural history.
Cathleen Schine is the author of many terrific (no, favorite!) novels that resonate with ardent Jane Austen lovers. Her novels explore the blessings-and burdens- of parents and siblings, and our often mysterious bonds to them. Schine’s novels are so delightful, and so deceptive- they linger within you long after you thought you had finished. Her latest is Kunstlers of Paradise.

[@duncanmckeown1292]

I'm reading Elizabeth's book right now...about half way through...and I must say, as a convinced sceptic of the Stratfordian belief who has read many authorship texts, that Winkler's book is some of the best writing I have come across! She delves into the subject with a laser-like precision and manages to cover so many issues and so many candidates in this one...action packed...volume. Yes, it does read like Sherlock Holmes to some extent, but I think this is why the authorship question has such a hold on me. Far from being a threat to the humanities, maybe this subject, if given its rightful place in academe, might attract loads of new students into English departments?

[@CulinarySpy]

Excellent presentation, very well hosted too I must say - many thanks to all involved, I'll be sharing this around!

[@rooruffneck]

Wonderful chat!

[@ordahackney7131]

I lament that, when discussing the Earl of Oxford, the many correspondences between his life and the works are not brought up. He is the only candidate whose life is in mirrored in Shakespeare.

[@bastianconrad2550]

⁠ Be fully aware (and sensible), there existed only one universal literary Genius in his time : Christopher Marlowe !! And by no means the mediocre William from Stratford, nor Edward de Vere.
th-cam.com/video/Z7VeQ7OER14/w-d-xo.html

[@kaznrob]

am a little surprised that no-one mentioned Elena Ferrante's books, that are sometimes suggested to be written by a man. Ferrante's books are so obviously written by a woman. Would love to have heard more on Shakespeare's texts that could, in a way, only be written by a woman, hopefully I will find that in the book. : )

[@bastianconrad2550]

What a wonderful surprise: Cathleen Schine‘s favorite is Christopher Marlowe.- my last reflections these days
- youtube.com/@bastianconrad2550