Living their last years of his life Shakespeare-SHaksper back in sleepy Stratford, who did not stir when the appearance of a famous playwright (and this fact just in case pointedly emphasize non-stratfords: do not met the great poet of rank, and a reason). We have to admit that it was for Shakespeare, who was in London considered popular in the province reacted with complete indifference.
And it seems quite natural, when you think about the concept of “great” that we are so accustomed to operate. These are made for us by Shakespeare century, during which his plays were new and new interpretations, writing critical articles and books were created. Now we unconsciously portable modern ideas about the general well-known writer, “ruler of the minds” on a completely different era, when the true scope of this individual was not and could not be fully realized. In the XVI century, its popularity was limited to fairly narrow range of highly educated aristocracy.
The success of the same Shakespearean play does not mean that the name of their author is well known even if the London public. Common people, filled the auditorium’s Globe, the playwright did not interest him primarily attracted an entertaining story, passion, and poured blood on the stage. Should we be surprised sluggish reaction stratfordts, learned that the city returned prodigal son, which put somewhere in the capital, dozens of plays? Craft actor or playwright, is considered low, and could not have added in their eyes, the credibility of the man who was the son of respectable citizen, but then leaned in comedians.
Shakespeare was sick and soon passed into another world, not being bitterly lamented nor in Stratford (which is natural), nor in London.
I. Gililov believes that silence is the capital fellow writers said only one thing: SHaksper not write the funeral elegies, because they knew that it was not Shakespeare.
But not all his contemporaries were willing to recognize the greatness, and especially the genius of the man too close to know, to compete, and many actively disliked this “upstart actor, blinded by their own ambitions.
Moreover, there is another nuance that is obvious to the historian: the complexity of social relationships. Engaged in intellectual work, creative genius, just at first glance, equated the people of different social classes, and in the XVI century contemporaries have never lost a sense of distance between a gentleman-poet who indulge in this lesson at your leisure and, therefore, get on in gentlemen with their craft. The first was made to glorify, the second at best, to praise in his circle. We should not forget about the hierarchy of “high” and “low” genres in literature of that time: the poetic lyrics or novel forms were considered prestigious, while the theatrical drama remained a “Cinderella.” It is no accident Shakespeare, whoever he was, he published during his lifetime only his poems and sonnets, and never – play, did not do it, and other playwrights. Ben Johnson first ventured to print a collection of his plays and subjected to a hail of ridicule. Parish in literature from the stage was not prestigious.
In the list of names of poets, crowned with laurels posthumous contained in the question, why is not among them Shakespeare. Its there and could not be. They were poets and aristocrats, who spoke on equal terms with the sovereigns. Whether Shakespeare thrice a genius, he could never worthy of such honors because of the social preferences of society.
Surely even the most mediocre poet, if he had the title and influential relatives, were more likely to cause a fellow flow lachrymose and false compliments than nameless genius. Shakespeare is, after leaving the capital and returning to Stratford, in general ceased to be interesting even to those who knew him closely, he’s – no longer a rival to other playwrights, the plays gradually depart from the scene, and the texts of plays not printed.
Should I expect a strong reaction to his death in the capital, while it is news about it is to meet in London after many months? We are dealing with the era, yet its history of mass media, and it is appropriate to ask the question: how and when it became aware of the death of Shakespeare, his friends and colleagues? The idea that someone is ignorant of his relatives will make a special trip to the capital, would find friends of the deceased for the sole purpose to inform them about this, it seems unreal. How do we get an immediate and coherent chorus of mourners?