Title: Simon Forman's Notes on Macbeth--The Alternative Reading
Abstract: IN his Bocke of Plaies and Notes therof per Forman for Common Pollicie Simon Forman (1552–1611), physician and astrologer, according to Schoenbaum (3) collected ‘the only eyewitness accounts preserved of Shakespeare on the professional stage in his own lifetime’ of any length, after watching a Richard II, The Winter’s Tale, Cymbeline, and Macbeth.1 Unfortunately, ever since their discovery the reliability of his entries has been doubted. There are several reasons for that. Forman’s lifestyle and his reputation as a physician don’t seem to be a solid ground for his trustworthiness. His lack of proper professional training and his interest in magic caused him much trouble and brought him into prison more than once. However, according to Schoenbaum, Thomas, and Traister magic and astrology were then widely practised as part of the healing methods. Forman acted like a good Samaritan when he stayed in London during the plague of 1592 while many of his colleagues left for the country. Thomas (306) even calls him ‘a meticulous practitioner’, confirming his respectability.
Publication Year: 2010
Publication Date: 2010-07-20
Language: en
Type: article
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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Cited By Count: 1
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