8-4Will

//Answer prepared by Annelise G.//
Goodbye to a Great Poet and Writer 42. Shakespeare lived a long and adventurous life. He was one of the most influential poets and play writer; he changed the way of writing forever. His plays were magnificent to watch and he created many great works. The book __A Shakespeare Glossary__ written by Robert D. Eagleson describes Shakespeare “as a supreme master of English Literature, a never ending source of pleasure and illumination.” Sadly, his life came to an end on April 23, 1616. No one knows what he died from but we do know that he edited his will on March 25 a month before his death. He knew that something was wrong but only his attorney knew before he passed. Maybe he felt that it would be better to keep things on the down low about his death, because his passing was very hard for people living in the Elizabethan Era. His will was edited by his attorney and it said that:
 * 1) “He left £100 to his daughter Judith for a marriage portion. He left another £150 to Judith if she lived another three years, but forbade her husband any claim to it unless he settled on her lands worth the £150. If Judith failed to live another three years, the £150 was to have gone to Shakespeare's granddaughter Elizabeth Hall.” Shakespeare probably did not like Judith’s husband and made sure that only blood relatives got the money if Judith died. He was probably very protective father.
 * 2) “He left £30 to his sister Joan Hart, and permitted her to stay on for a nominal rent in the Western of the two houses on Henley Street, which Shakespeare himself inherited from his father in 1601. He left each of Joan's three sons £5.” A nominal rent means that it is assigned to her. She can stay there under the rent she has to pay.
 * 3) “He left all his plate, except a silver bowl left to Judith, to his granddaughter Elizabeth.” He left all of his plates in his house except he gave two he gave away to Judith and Elizabeth.
 * 4) “He left £10 to the poor of Stratford, a large amount considering similar bequeaths of the time.” This shows that Shakespeare was a generous man and wanted to help the lower class of Stratford.
 * 5) “He left his sword and various small bequests to local friends, including money to buy memorial rings,” bequests are things that are listed in a will, such as the swords and the money to the poor.
 * 6) “He singles out "My fellowes John Heminges Richard Burbage & Henry Cundell, leaving them 26s8d to "buy them Rings." Heminges and Condell were, seven years later, to become the editors of the First Folio.”
 * 7) “He does not mention his wife Anne (though it is commonly pointed out that it would have been her right through English common law to one-third of his estate as well as residence for life at New Place), except to leave her his, "second best bed."” Some historians believe that it might have been an insult to Anne but others think that it might have been something great and a magnificent honor.
 * 8) "All the rest of my goodes Chattels Leases plate Jewels & household stuffe whatsoever after my dettes and Legasies paied & my funerall expences dischared," he left to his son-in-law John Hall and his daughter Susanna.” He left a large amount of items to his daughter Susanna. He must have really cared about Susanna and felt a deep connection with her.

Works Cited:
Eagleson, Robert. //A Shakespeare Glossary//. 3rd. United States: Oxford University Press Inc., 1986. Kathman, Dave. "Shakespeare's Will Part 10 of Critically Examining Oxfords Clams." // Shakespeare Authorship Home Page //. April 23, 1996. Seven Wonders. 15 Apr 2009 .