Thanks for the 'doubtaboutwill' source, Kent.  I'd forgotten it, and it's wonderful to read those germane bits again.

Judy

On 17 October 2016 at 00:43, Kent Johnson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Robin,

I don't recall "withdrawing." Maybe I sent this link in as the position that I find most "convincing" and left it at that? As I do again.

Sir Derek Jacobi and Mark Rylance, two very widely respected people in the field of Shakespeare theater had a central hand in the writing and endorsement of this document.

https://doubtaboutwill.org/declaration

Ken McLeod, by the way, makes brief appearance in a quirky essay I had in the Chicago Review some years back re: British poetry.

Kent

>>> Robin Hamilton <[log in to unmask]OM> 10/16/16 6:28 PM >>>

On 17 October 2016 at 00:03 Kent Johnson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

Hi Robin, I have a hazy memory of something or other. But did you settle the matter once and for all in favor of the Stratfordian case? If so, please forgive my poor memory. You should tell us how, once again, as I'm sure the increasingly nervous deniers of any reasonable doubt around Shakespeare's identity will be happy to receive your momentous proof.

Well, I don't know whether or not I won, Kent, but you did withdraw from the argument.  Only time I ever remember you doing that.  This is possibly why my memory of the incident is clearer than yours.

The matter certainly wasn't settled, at least to your satisfaction, but that's what happened.  

I can't remember which list it was on, and I can't be bothered to google for it, otherwise I'd post a link.  As it is, I'm not going to fash myself repeating what I said.

Whatever, nice to have you here.  I do check out Dispatches occasionally, but I'm pushed for time, what with this and that, and it's not really my scene any more.

Hey, you'd like Ken McLeod's work, that came up earlier.  Glasgow student politics in the seventies (after my time -- he's about ten years younger than me) was sort of like where you are? used to be? at.  You'd probably get more of KMcL's jokes in some areas than me -- some were deeply involuted, and I don't mean the Glasgow references.  How about [not signalled as such] a Troskyite version of the Dilly Song?   Children, come as I call you, I think it's called in America.  My jaw dropped when I read it.  He chucks it in just in passing, then moves on.  Gallusl!  Even the title has a 4I insider spin -- The Star Fraction.

Robin.

>>> Robin Hamilton <[log in to unmask]OM> 10/16/16 5:54 PM >>>

On 16 October 2016 at 23:42 Kent Johnson <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

All this talk about Dylan the plagiarist or Dylan the selfish and petty one...

Sounds like Dylan and Shakespeare have some habits and demeanors in common.

Assuming "Shakespeare" really was the virtually undocumented Stratford man who scrawled his name, in nearly all extant instances, as Shakspere.

 

Hi, Kent!

Remember the last time we had this particular argument in public?  I do.  :-).

"who scrawled his name, in nearly all extant instances, as Shakspere."  Hey, you didn't say that the last time round, as I remember.  I'm almost tempted.  But no, I'll be good, and gracefully withdraw.  I mean, lots of people say that, what you've just said, so it must be true.  Musn't it?  

Cheers,

Robin