WillandTestament2

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SS hakespeare was born on April 26, 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon. The theories based on Shakespeare’s will and testaments are very controversial according to Tarnia Cooper, author of Searching for Shakespeare. Shakespeare’s will is questioned, while there are three existing copies of his will, none of them are the final draft. Also, Shakespeare left only a bed and some furniture for his wife.
 * WHAT WAS SHAKESPEARE’S LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT? WHAT ARE THE CONTROVERSIES SURROUNDING HIS WILL? WHAT THEORIES ATTEMPT TO EXPLAIN THOSE CONTROVERSIES? - Prepared by: Matt B - Shakespeare’s Will and Testament**======

On March 25, 1616, William Shakespeare’s second will and testament was written. His oldest daughter, Susanna, was left in charge of his estate (p. 193). His youngest daughter, Judith, was left a broad silver gilt bole (bowl) (p. 193). He only identified one piece of plate ware in his will, which was the silver bowl. Joan Hart, his sister was left money, clothes, and payment for her house. Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway, was only left the second best bed and the furniture from his house. Shakespeare’s will included inheritance that was to be expected. If Shakespeare was in today’s time, it would be very peculiar to give one daughter a home and the other a bowl.

Shakespeare’s will had many controversies surrounding it. “No final copy was ever made…,” (193). This is important because it leaves suspicion about what is known regarding his last testament. A family member may have changed the will without any suspicion. E. S. Alexander, author of __Shakespeare the Life, the Works, the Treasure__. asks, “…why is his wife left the ‘second best bed with the furniture’” (43). The bed he left for his wife was very interesting and now is controversial. He could have chosen the second best bed because it had more importance to him and her than anything else for sentimental reasons. Shakespeare’s will has been in question for many years and will be for many more years to come. For as long as readers continue to enjoy his works, they will always think about his will because it is the last thing to happen before he died.

Work Cited:

Cooper, Tarnya. //Searching for Shakespeare//. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2006. 194-98.

E. S. Alexander, Catherine. //Shakespeare: the Life, the Works, the Treasure//. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2006. 43.