Friday, July 29, 2011

Interpretations of 'Will Shake Speare'

Many possible interpretations might derive from the seeming sentence 'Will Shake Speare' with or without the 'Will' (as it often appears):
  • Accusation/Accuser: that the writer is making an accusation against somebody, or intends to in the future--the pen being mightier than the sword;
  • Jousting: a reference to the sport, or that the author is known for jousting;
  • Historical event: referring to something in the author's past, or perhaps his family history, involving a spear;* 
  • Sword of State: the Lord Great Chamberlain historically carried it;**
  • Athena: the Greek goddess, presented holding a long spear, and her involvement in the arts; or
  • Lewdness: referring to a certain part of human anatomy.
Many more such possible interpretations of the name might be developed.

*Edward de Vere, a major "candidate" for Shakespeare authorship, accidentally speared someone while practicing fencing (an event seemingly mirrored in Hamlet); an earlier de Vere speared a wild boar (reference to such event appearing in the family crest).
**Edward de Vere served in this role.

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