A new illustrated book, to be published on the 444th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s birth, reveals that he had a great interest in flowers and gardening.
The Bard of Stratford often used floral imagery to enhance his stories. A rose by any other name, gilding the lily, the primrose path – these flowery Shakespearean phrases have entered the language. Around 180 kinds of flowers, fruits and other plants are mentioned in the plays. The rose appears almost 100 times.
‘Shakespeare’s Fantastic Garlands’, to be published on April 23rd, is a delightful small book which is fully illustrated with my colour photographs and with woodcuts from John Gerard’s Herbal – a book which was a best-seller in Shakespeare’s day. Indeed it is likely that the two men were acquainted and that Shakespeare knew Gerard’s garden.
‘Shakespeare’s Fantastic Garlands’ tells the stories behind many of the floral quotations, some of which will be revealing to modern audiences. When Ariel says ‘in a cowslips bell I lie’, Shakespeare is using the size of a familiar flower to indicate how tiny his character is meant to be. In two plays, there are references to ‘roasted crabs’ by which Shakespeare meant crab-apples, not shellfish.
‘Shakespeare’s Fantastic Garlands’ will prove of great interest to many readers, especially theatre-goers, gardeners and botanists. Its small format makes it an ideal gift or souvenir book.
For your copy at the special (collect only) price of £5 contact Gerald on 80261192 or email gponting@clara.net