Bonner Cutting — Alas Poor Anne: The Second Best Bed in Historical Context

Описание: Before his death in 1616, William Shakspere of Stratford-upon-Avon made a will in which he gave only one thing to his wife: his second best bed. Since the late eighteenth century, orthodoxy has sought ways to transform this “notorious bequest” into something that shows a caring, considerate testator. But serious questions remain: Was Mr. Shakspere insulting Mrs. Shakspere with the term “second best?” Did Mr. Shakspere intend to leave his wife with insufficient means for her survival? In this talk, Bonner will show that the answer is a resounding “Yes” to both questions.

This talk was presented on October 13, 2018, at the SOF Annual Conference in Oakland, California.

Bonner Cutting holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Tulane University (cum laude) and a Master of Music in piano performance from McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. Her recent book, Necessary Mischief: Exploring the Shakespeare Authorship Question, is a collection of essays on a wide range of subjects that shed light on the authorship debate. Her work on the Last Will and Testament of Stratford’s Shakspere is published, along with her transcript of this will, in the Shakespeare Authorship Coalition’s book Shakespeare Beyond Doubt? Exposing an Industry in Denial. Bonner has three YouTube videos posted by the SOF, and her interview on the Stratford man’s will can be accessed on the Shakespeare Underground website.

For more on the Shakespeare Authorship Question, visit ShakespeareOxfordFellowship.org.