Shakespeare, Spelling, And 1¢ Gingerbread

Years ago, in the ancient time before convection ovens, Tivo, and Go-gurt portable yogurt, there was a man. A bald, white man. Some say this man is the greatest writer of the English language who ever lived, or could live. This is spoken proudly, and in English. The man? William Shakespeare, the infamous Bard of Avon. That’s how we spell his name now, anyway. Back in the Middle Ages the spelling of names wasn’t so fixed, and Will’s last name was also spelled Shaxper or Shakspere. (Parents, teachers, and self, take note! Somone hoo cant speel wel kud stil beecum a fameus poeit an plaa rite.) However you spell it, his writing shows a delightful ability with the feather pen and ink splots. What is often overlooked is his advertising prowess. He had gobs of it. Case in point: Between 1595 and 1596 he composed an historical product placement, the fossilized remains of which are found buried deep within the play, Love’s Labour Lost, Act V, Scene I:

     “Had I but a penny in the world,
     thou shouldst have it for gingerbread.”
     —William Shakespeare

The fact that dark, warm gingerbread cake is enjoyed over 400 years later testifies to his wordsmithing talents. No doubt, during performances of LLL, hefty vendors trolled the aisles, hollering, “Get ye freshe warme bred of ginger!” Smelling a spicy ginger aroma waft by would cinch the deal—despite the shockingly lavish price of one cent. Back in the 1500s, a penny must have been equivalent to, what, $350? A tricked-out Clydesdale stallion? A castle with a moat and soldiery?

You like Shakespeare? Check out my other posting, The Spoon, Most Noble Of Eating Utensils.