Recent research suggests that William Shakespeare may not have been the neglectful husband he was long thought to be, based on the discovery of a neglected letter referencing his wife Anne Hathaway.
New Findings Challenge Long-held Beliefs About Shakespeare's Marriage
New Findings Challenge Long-held Beliefs About Shakespeare's Marriage
A previously overlooked letter sheds new light on William Shakespeare's relationship with his wife, Anne Hathaway, contradicting the narrative of neglect.
New analyses of a long-overlooked document are rewriting historical perspectives on William Shakespeare's marriage to Anne Hathaway. Traditionally, scholars have painted a picture of a distant husband who abandoned his wife and children to pursue a literary career in London. This prevailing narrative, supported by a 19th-century essayist's interpretation and the fact that Shakespeare famously left his wife his “second best bed” in his will, suggested he viewed Anne as an “encumbrance.”
However, new research led by Matthew Steggle, a literature professor at the University of Bristol, could redefine this longstanding view. His findings are set to be published in the upcoming issue of the journal Shakespeare. The crux of his argument revolves around a 17th-century letter fragment that mentions a “Mrs Shakspaire,” discovered within the binding of a 1608 book. While an amateur historian noted its existence in 1978, it went largely unexamined until Steggle's recent investigation.
Leveraging advancements in technology, Steggle traced individuals referenced in the document and uncovered further evidence linking the correspondence to Shakespeare's wife. This fresh analysis casts doubt on the previously accepted notions of a neglectful husband, hinting that Shakespeare may have maintained a robust connection with Anne, contrary to what many have believed for centuries. As research continues, this revelation invites a reevaluation of Shakespeare's personal life and the dynamics of his relationship with his wife.
