AboutRandy Sus Expertise I`m a retired high school English teacher from central Wisconsin. I taught Shakespeare for years and am very familiar with his writing style, his themes, his sonnets, and most of his plays. I taught Julius Caesar, King Lear, Richard the Third, and A Midsummer Night`s Dream for years. I`ve memorized many of the lines from these plays and I know many sonnets by heart. I`d be glad to respond to questions regarding Shakespeare`s life, works, and times if anyone desired such information.
Experience I have a master's degree in education and I take most pride in having ENJOYED teaching for over 30 years. Not everyone can honestly say that.
I coached undefeated high school soccer teams for fun too. I like public relations work and have served on P.R. committees for most of my professional life. I continue to do so in retirement.
Question why did he leave his Second best bed to his wife in his will?
Answer Hi, Tricia,
Thanks for calling upon "Allexperts" for an answer to your Shakespeare question.
Yours is a fairly "popular" question, often asked by those who suspect that Shakespeare may have slighted his wife, Anne Hathaway, through this statement in his will.
Scholars have concluded that the "best" bed in an Elizabethan home was usually reserved for GUESTS to the home, and that the couple who lived in the home commonly used the SECOND BEST bed themselves, so, William, in his will, is just leaving the bed that he and his wife slept in most often to her. In NO way was this a "put down" of his wife, just a common practice of a loving spouse.
Best wishes as you continue your study of "The Bard of Avon."
