Shakespeare's Knowledge of Law

A Journey Through the History of the Arguments

(originally appeared in a slightly different form in The Oxfordian, October 2001)

by Mark Andre Alexander

I. INTRODUCTION

Searching for Refutations / Methods of Argument / The Satan Maneuver / Evidence and Reason

II. THE EARLY ADVOCATES

Willliam Rushton / Lord Campbell / Richard Grant White / Other Early Writers

III. SHAKESPEARE'S SUPPOSED MISUSE OF LEGAL TERMS

Devecmon's 'Bad Law' / Charles Allen's 'Bad Law' / Arthur Underhill's 'Bad Law' / Clarkson and Warren's 'Bad Law'

IV. SIR GEORGE GREENWOOD AND THE LOST DEBATE

Fine and Recovery / Purchase / The Devil's Law Case

V. THE SELECTIVE AMNESIA DECADES

The Law of Property

VI. SHAKESPEARE'S LEGAL MIND

A Mature Metaphorical and Philosophical Legal Mind / Hales v. Petit

VII. CONCLUSIONS

WORKS CITED

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