Did Shakespeare smoke weed?

Dennie Quill, Gleaner Columnist

THE NEWS that a South African anthropologist is seeking permission to open up Shakespeare's grave to determine if the famed bard smoked weed is enough to divert my attention from recent kidnappings and that bird-shooting expedition.

It seems Dr Francis Thackeray may be on to something, for during 2001, he is alleged to have found traces of cocaine and ganja residue on clay pipe fragments from Shakespeare's garden. Now he is seeking permission from the Church of England to dig deeper into the grave located in the Church of the Holy Trinity in Stratford-upon-Avon. He feels that uncovering his bones will help to determine the cause of death and help the world to understand whether the author's genius was influenced by drug use.

Thackeray, of the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, believes clues to Shakespeare's drug use were evident in some of his writings. For example, he refers to Sonnet 76 in which there was talk of the "noted weed", and in Sonnet 27, where the poet spoke about "a journey in his head".

Generations of students have studied Shakespeare. His plays and sonnets have served as models for public speaking, as passages to be recited and exciting words of literature to be digested and explored. Four hundred years after his death, actors continue to bring to life famous scenes or characters from his plays.

How often we have heard orators repeat these words:

"All the world's a stage,

And all the men and women merely players;

They have their exits and their entrances,

And one man in his time plays many parts,

His acts being seven ages."

- Taken from As You Like It

Or the popular exhortation from Twelfth Night:

"Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon 'em."

Were these words inspired by what many call 'the weed of wisdom'? We may never know exactly what got Shakespeare's creative juices flowing. What we do know is that ganja was grown in England during Shakespeare's time and was used for making paper, sails, rope and textiles.

Thackeray says not much is known about the life of the man acknowledged as the most widely read author of all times. He wrote 38 plays, sonnets and other poems. However, Thackeray feels that DNA in his teeth and bones will reveal a great deal about the man and his habits. Thackeray wants to use science to answer important questions about this literary genius.

Looked at in a wider context, one wonders whether this clamour for information on historical icons will create a whole new era of grave exploration in this the 21st century?

We know that there would be no need to exhume the body of reggae superstar Bob Marley, for he strenuously defended the 'herb' throughout his life. And there would be no need to ask any further questions of the beloved US President Bill Clinton: he has already admitted a relationship with weed - but, of course, he did not inhale.

Someone has taken the time to create a list of the famous people who have admitted to smoking weed. These include famous entertainers from Elvis Presley to Louis Armstrong, politicians, a Nobel Prize winner, pastors, actors and many in-between.

I can't wait to see what Thackeray's research turns up.

Dennie Quill is a veteran media practitioner. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.