>Shakespeare was an opportunistic writer, whose intellectual motto could be
>the words he gives Romeo for Juliet:
>
>'Who would not adventure for such merchandise?'
Shakespeare's Professional Life is quite interesting on this; Shakespeare
was a ruthlessly pragmatic businessman and wrote with great political
acumen, stepping through the political minefields of his day. He never
ended up in the Tower like Ben Johnson. Though you know, he made most of
his money out of lucerne.
He wasn't like Lloyd-Webber, because he was much smarter: smart enough to
know, for example, that the money and the popularity were a means to an
end, and not an end in themselves. But in a way, it's quite fair to say
that he was the Lloyd Webber of his day, as long as it doesn't lead to
the idea that Lloyd Webber is the Shakespeare of _our_ day.
Best
Alison
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