Bardness
From Comment is Free:
Experts believe Shakespeare often wrote with a hangover - and that his work suffered as a result.
In today's G2, John Sutherland argues that while Will did have moments of brilliance, he also penned some of the clunkiest lines in English literature. "When pondering whether to be or not to be, Hamlet fantasises about 'taking arms against a sea of troubles'," Sutherland writes. "What does Shakespeare expect us to see in our mind's eye? Some mad idiot firing a blunderbluss into the waves from the end of Brighton pier?"
But if the Bard's work is secretly a little lacklustre, which other iconic geniuses have produced "masterpieces" that are less than they're cracked up to be?
I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks Shakespeare is overrated. He often seems to use a hundred words, where half a dozen will do. Often what he writes is impenetrable and meaningless.
Still, it is true to say that if he was around today, Shakespeare would still be writing. He'd probably have a column for the Daily Telegraph.
Cory
