My previous article was a tribute to Charles Dickens, a
great English Novelist; on the occasion of his 200th birth anniversary, on
7/FEB/2012 – “Remembering Charles Dickens on his 200th birth
anniversary”. Soon afterwards I was reminded of my photograph at a
monument; a marble full-length figure of William Shakespeare, the world’s
greatest English Poet, Playwright and preeminent Dramatist. It is beyond doubt
that in the English speaking world the most read books are of Shakespeare after
the Bible. William Shakespeare (April 1564–23rd April 1616) has many great
works to his credit. His surviving works are 38 plays, 154 sonnets and several
other poems. I am sure that those who have not read even a few works of William
Shakespeare would have certainly heard of him while watching some great English
Movies made out of his Plays. The question of not reading at least a few works
of Shakespeare does not arise in India as abridged versions are a part of
English curriculum at School and College.
I was excited and happy posing for a photo by the side of
the monument of this great writer. You can see this photograph at the top of
this article and below it a very clear picture of the Statue. A then celebrated
actor, David Garrick (1717-79) and a great admirer of Shakespeare commissioned
this sculpture in 1757. This marble sculpture was made by the famous French
sculptor, Louis-Francois Roubiliac (1702-1762). The sculptor’s mastery and
skill can be judged through the second picture at the top - from the pose of
William Shakespeare, the detailed carving of the costume, particularly the
buttons and cuffs and the pattern on the cloth covering the desk. This statue
is housed in the British Museum, London.
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