A different slant on the surnames topic: An important contribution to the identification of the author of the works of so-called "Shakespeare" was omitted from the 1935 British edition of Freud�s "An Autobiographical Study" as a consequence of the contingency of someone�s surname. I�ll let the documents speak for themselves:
Extract from "An Autobiographical Study" (Freud, 1925, SE 20, pp. 63, 63-64, n.1.) A number of suggestions came to me out of the Oedipus complex, the ubiquity of which gradually dawned on me. The poet's choice, or his invention, of such a terrible subject seemed puzzling; and so too did the overwhelming effect of its dramatic treatment, and the general nature of such tragedies of destiny. But all of this became intelligible when one realized that a universal law of mental life had here been captured in all its emotional significance. Fate and the oracle were no more than materializations of an internal necessity; and the fact of the hero's sinning without his knowledge and against his intentions was evidently a right expression of the *unconscious* nature of his criminal tendencies. >From understanding this tragedy of destiny it was only a step further to understanding a tragedy of character -- Hamlet, which had been admired for three hundred years without its meaning being discovered or its author's motives guessed. It could scarcely be a chance that this neurotic creation of the poet should have come to grief, like his numberless fellows in the real world, over the Oedipus complex. For Hamlet was faced with the task of taking vengeance on another for the two deeds which are the subject of the Oedipus desires; and before that task his arm was paralysed by his own obscure sense of guilt. Shakespeare wrote Hamlet very soon after his father's death. (1) 1. (Footnote added 1935:) This is a construction which I should like explicitly to withdraw. I no longer believe that William Shakespeare the actor from Stratford was the author of the works which have so long been attributed to him Since the publication of J. T. Looney's volume *'Shakespeare' Identified* [1920], I am almost convinced that in fact Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, is concealed behind this pseudonym. [Editorial note (James Strachey): When, in 1935, the English translator received the draft of this additional footnote, he was so much taken aback that he wrote to Freud asking him to reconsider it -- not on the ground of the truth or otherwise of the theory, but of the effect the note was likely to have on the average English reader, particularly in view of the unfortunate name of the author of the book referred to. Freud's reply was most forbearing, as an excerpt from a translation of his letter will show. The letter is dated August 29, 1935. '...As regards the Shakespeare-Oxford note, your proposal puts me in the unusual situation of showing me as an opportunist. I cannot understand the English attitude to this question: Edward de Vere was certainly as good an Englishman as Will Shakspere [sic]. But since the matter is so remote from analytic interest, and since you set so much store on my being reticent, I am ready to cut out the note, or merely to insert a sentence such as "For particular reasons I no longer wish to lay emphasis on this point". Decide on this yourself. On the other hand, I should be glad to have the whole note retained in the American edition. The same sort of narcissistic defence need not be feared over there...' Accordingly in the English edition of 1935 the footnote reads: 'I have particular reasons for no longer wishing to lay any emphasis upon this point.'] N.B. Freud�s writing �Shakspere� above illustrates his wide knowledge of English language and culture. This is implicitly alluding to the fact that Shakespeare�s name was spelt in a variety of ways in his own day. On the other hand, he obviously didn't appreciate the idiosycratic British sense of humour that could even intrude into the evaluation of a theory concerning the identity of their greatest playwright. How absurd can you (i.e., the British) get! Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.human-nature.com/esterson/index.html http://www.butterfliesandwheels.com/articleprint.php?num=10 --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
