By Victoria Ward8:11AM
BST 30 Mar 2015
Telegraph online
An academic has called
for Shakespeare’s remains to be exhumed so that more can be learned about his
life, following the successful analysis of Richard III’s bones.
Francis Thackeray, from
the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg, said he was "very
interested in the possibility" of examining Shakespeare’s grave.
"Given the
extraordinary success of the study of the skeleton of Richard III, we recognise
the potential of undertaking forensic analyses of the Bard," he said.
Prof Thackeray believes
analysis of his bones could reveal new information about how the playwright
lived, what he ate and drank, whether rumours are that he smoked cannabis are
to be believed, The Times reports.
However, he acknowledged
that the epitaph on Shakespeare’s grave might prove to be a stumbling block.
The Bard is said to have
lived in fear of exhumation and had an unusual obsession with burial and the
mistreatment of corpses.
The inscription on his
tomb in Stratford-upon-Avon reads: "Good frend for Jesus sake forebeare/
To digg the dust encloased heare/ Bleste be the man that spares thes stones/
And curst be he that moves my bones."
[I know that academics
are as good at creating and publicising sensational stories as politicians and
no doubt Prof Thackeray is seeking to raise his profile – and very likely funds
– for a research project. However, let’s
hope that we are not on the verge of a great wave of exhumations of long-dead famous
people in order to answer unnecessary questions about their diet! The cult of celebrity!!]
Call me to discuss your
insurance needs on 0208 2550617 / 07768 865983
