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Dead Letters
"Dead letters" by Maurice Baring is a collection of interconnected stories that delve into the lives of various characters and their experiences in different settings. From the failed dinner of Cleopatra in Rome to the performance of "The Murder of Gonzago" at the Court, each narrative unfolds with intrigue and drama. The book culminates in a Russian sailor's observations of English society, providing a unique outsider's perspective on cultural differences and societal norms. Through vivid storytelling and diverse characters, Baring weaves a tapestry of human emotions and interactions that captivate readers with each turn of the page.
Kindle Edition
First published January 28, 2010
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About the author
Maurice Baring
163 books33 followersMaurice Baring OBE (27 April 1874 – 14 December 1945) was an English man of letters, known as a dramatist, poet, novelist, translator and essayist, and also as a travel writer and war correspondent, with particular knowledge of Russia. During World War I, Baring served in the Intelligence Corps and Royal Air Force.
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October 13, 2019
History is bunk, as these (supposed) letters by or about some of the leading people and events of the past consistently prove. History is also ripe for comedy, something they don't prove consistently enough.
The oldest set of faux-correspondence are between various figures connected with the Trojan War and are an amusing example of the rich ironies abounding in such a conceit. In a letter from Clytemnestra to Aegisthus just after the Greek fleet has landed at Aulis she is happy to report that 'Iphigenia writes that she is enjoying herself immensely.' Ten years later Penelope has a simple request for her husband Odysseus: 'Mind you come back the moment it is over...'
How about the Romans? A friend of Cleopatra notes the queen's response when Julius Caesar told her about the Idea of March: "if he paid attention to such trifles people would begin to say that he was an old woman". A Greek traveller granted an audience with Nero is informed that the Christians were merely a "fad," although he was concerned that "they are getting the women on their side". Never a thing to be taken lightly.
Moving on to characters synonymous with Shakespeare, according to Rosaline, Romeo's jilted lover, his marriage to Juliet was "a sheer case of coercion" arranged by Lady Capulet and in reality he loved her all along. In a letter from Lady Macbeth to Flora McDuff we learn that she loved Duncan so much that she spent the time before his arrival 'making those flat scones he used to be so fond of.' The Macbeth's didn't murder him.
What of Shakespeare himself? A contemporary Frenchmen's epistle informs us that Shakespeare's plays were written by either Ben Shicksperry or Will Johnson, his sonnets written by the Earl of Southampton rather than about him. Alternatively, an exchange of letters between Bacon and his agent proves beyond doubt that he wrote the plays, Shakespeare merely tarted them up for the lowbrow audience at the Globe Theatre.
Who knew?
The oldest set of faux-correspondence are between various figures connected with the Trojan War and are an amusing example of the rich ironies abounding in such a conceit. In a letter from Clytemnestra to Aegisthus just after the Greek fleet has landed at Aulis she is happy to report that 'Iphigenia writes that she is enjoying herself immensely.' Ten years later Penelope has a simple request for her husband Odysseus: 'Mind you come back the moment it is over...'
How about the Romans? A friend of Cleopatra notes the queen's response when Julius Caesar told her about the Idea of March: "if he paid attention to such trifles people would begin to say that he was an old woman". A Greek traveller granted an audience with Nero is informed that the Christians were merely a "fad," although he was concerned that "they are getting the women on their side". Never a thing to be taken lightly.
Moving on to characters synonymous with Shakespeare, according to Rosaline, Romeo's jilted lover, his marriage to Juliet was "a sheer case of coercion" arranged by Lady Capulet and in reality he loved her all along. In a letter from Lady Macbeth to Flora McDuff we learn that she loved Duncan so much that she spent the time before his arrival 'making those flat scones he used to be so fond of.' The Macbeth's didn't murder him.
What of Shakespeare himself? A contemporary Frenchmen's epistle informs us that Shakespeare's plays were written by either Ben Shicksperry or Will Johnson, his sonnets written by the Earl of Southampton rather than about him. Alternatively, an exchange of letters between Bacon and his agent proves beyond doubt that he wrote the plays, Shakespeare merely tarted them up for the lowbrow audience at the Globe Theatre.
Who knew?
Displaying 1 of 1 review