# Poets and Philosophers explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by James McIntyre.

## What happens

The chapter reflects on the lives and works of poets and philosophers such as Bacon, Hogg, Lamb, and Shakespeare, debating the theory that Bacon wrote Shakespeare's plays while defending Shakespeare's natural genius and his understanding of human nature.

## Themes in this chapter

### Cultural Heritage and Immigrant Identity

The chapter celebrates literary figures from the British Isles, reflecting the cultural heritage brought by settlers to Canada.

### Moral Lessons and Domestic Virtue

The discussion of Shakespeare's personal life and his wandering ways carries a moral undertone about domestic responsibility.

## Character check-ins

### Shakespeare

Defended as a natural genius who wrote from experience, not formal education.

### James Hogg

Praised as the Ettrick shepherd bard who gained fame while tending sheep.

### Ettrick Shepherd

Alternate reference to James Hogg, the shepherd poet.

## Key lines

> Some critics think they do make clear The fact that Bacon wrote Shakespeare

Some critics believe that Francis Bacon was the true author of Shakespeare's works.

_Reference to the Baconian theory of Shakespeare authorship._

> But he well knew by translations The history of the ancient nations.

Shakespeare was familiar with ancient history through translated works.

_Defense of Shakespeare's knowledge despite lacking a university education._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters/poets-and-philosophers
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_12_se/chapters