William Shakespeare was possibly born today, in 1564. As a writer born on April 23 in the 1500s, it’s understandable if there’s a lot of confusion about him. After all, another writer was born on April 23 in the 1500s — actually the year 1500. I’m talking about Johann Stumpf, of course, who wrote about the history of his native Switzerland. But confusion about names is not unusual today.
After all, one of Shakespeare’s best known characters is Julius Caesar, and he was born today too. I haven’t read that play, but I’m sure it’s all about Julius Caesar Scalinger, the famous Italian physician. He was born in 1484. And another character is that famous Joan from France — she was Joan of something-or-other, and imagine my amazement to discover that Joan of France (who must be the one I’m thinking of) shares the birthday — the exact same date and year as Julius Caesar. Scalinger. I vaguely recall that Joan was something important in France, and Joan of France was the Queen, even though for just a little while, so that must explain it.
Some of Shakespeare’s minor characters were born today too. Remember Rosenkranz, from Hamlet? He was born today too, and in a weird bit of foreshadowing, Shakespeare somehow predicted it, because Karl Rosenkranz wasn’t born until 1805. And in addition to his duties as elaborated in Hamlet, he spent his off-stage time as a German philosopher.
But never mind about Germany; back in France another towering figure in that country’s history is some guy named Pascal. I’m sure it must be Pascal Quignard, who must have a mysterious hidden connection with Shakespeare because he’s in the same business — he’s a writer. Also born April 23, of course, but in 1948. And there must be something about writers and April 23, because you know that famous one who went by his initials E. B….uh, something? Well I found him too; he was born April 23 1901. Oddly enough I couldn’t find anything about his writing, but I think he wrote a book that was something about a spider, and sure enough, E.B. Ford studied insects and arachnids in his career as an ecological geneticist.
So there you have it; a completely accurate rundown of…well, maybe it’s not complete, but I’m sure it’s accurate. I get all my information straight from YouTube. Oh, and did you know that today is the 19th anniversary of the world’s first YouTube video? It was called Me at the Zoo, and posted by one of the cofounders, Jawed Karim. There must have been an administrative error somewhere, though, because Karim was not born today, and there’s no mention of YouTube in any of Shakespeare’s writing.
