Shakespeare's Bones: The Proposal to Disinter Them, Considered in Relation to Their Possible Bearing on His Portraiture: Illustrated by Instances of Visits of the Living to the Dead

In Short

This curious, erudite essay explores the ethics and history of exhuming the remains of famous figures. Centering on the controversial proposal to open Shakespeare’s grave in Stratford-upon-Avon, the author surveys various precedents—from the successful, meticulous identification of Schiller’s skull to the scandalous, irreverent treatment of Swedenborg’s remains. It functions as both a historical record of "visits to the dead" and a reasoned argument for why a scientific, respectful investigation of Shakespeare might finally resolve the nagging inconsistencies surrounding his true likeness.

The Story

The narrative begins with a reflection on the human impulse to honor the dead. This sentiment, while rooted in respect, often manifests as a superstition that guards graves against any intrusion. The author quickly pivots to a detailed, dramatic account of the exhumation of Friedrich Schiller. The story is one of desperate, clandestine effort by an admirer, Carl Leberecht Schwabe, to save the poet’s remains from a common "clearing out" of a communal vault in Weimar. Through a series of midnight expeditions and tense negotiations with sexton and church authorities, Schwabe eventually recovers a skull, which is verified by friends and Goethe himself as belonging to the poet.

The essay then broadens its scope, chronicling other instances where the dead have been disturbed. Some cases, like the identification of Raphael’s remains in the Pantheon in 1833, are presented as models of dignity and scientific utility. Others, such as the desecration of Swedenborg’s tomb, serve as cautionary tales of greed and morbid curiosity. The author also recounts the accidental discovery of Charles I’s coffin at Windsor, emphasizing how such encounters provide historical clarity where tradition had failed.

The focus eventually narrows back to the primary subject: William Shakespeare. The author addresses the famous epitaph—the "curse" on those who move the poet's bones—with pragmatic skepticism. He argues that the inscription was likely a precaution against the common practice of moving bodies to the charnel house to make room for local gentry, rather than a spiritual prohibition against historical inquiry.

The heart of the argument rests on the visual ambiguity of Shakespeare’s legacy. The existing monument at Stratford is described as "clownish" and anatomically suspect, yet it remains the primary reference for his appearance. The author catalogs a long, often contradictory list of alleged portraits—the Droeshout, the Chandos, the Janssen, and others—that possess murky pedigrees. He posits that if the skull were accessible, modern scientific measurement could finally provide an objective standard by which to judge these competing images. The book concludes with a comprehensive bibliography of the exhumation debate, documenting the voices of American and British scholars who have wrestled with whether the "interests of science" should outweigh the sanctity of the chancel floor.

How It Unfolds

The impulse to honor The author establishes the tension between protecting graves and the human desire to pay tribute. He acknowledges the weight of tradition while questioning its absolute authority.

The Schiller precedent Detailed accounts of the poet Schiller’s repeated interments provide a case study in both the devotion of friends and the callousness of municipal bureaucracy. The midnight recovery of the skull serves as a template for what an organized, purposeful search can achieve.

Cautionary tales of the dead The narrative pivots to the erratic history of exhumations, noting the difference between reverent scientific inquiry and the vulgar theft of relics. These stories emphasize the risks that attend any attempt to disturb a tomb.

The Shakespearean problem The argument addresses the "cursed" gravestone, demystifying the warning as a concern for physical space rather than divine retribution. He then critiques the physical evidence of the poet's appearance, dismissing the current monument's accuracy.

The case for clarity The final movement assesses the chaotic state of Shakespearean portraiture. The author concludes that the historical uncertainty is a burden that only a direct, scientific examination of the remains could effectively resolve.

The People

Carl Leberecht Schwabe, the Bürgermeister of Weimar, is the book’s most vivid character. Driven by a blend of genuine, obsessive devotion and a sense of civic duty, he maneuvers against indifferent church officials to save Schiller’s remains from being tossed into a common hole. His success provides the moral and procedural blueprint for the author’s own argument.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe acts as the ultimate arbiter of truth. His recognition of Schiller’s skull, based on his personal memory of the man, provides the validation that moves the remains from a secret discovery to a national treasure.

The "Shakespearean authorities," including the author himself and figures like J. Parker Norris, are the modern challengers. They want to move beyond the aesthetic debates of art critics—who argue over whether the Stratford bust is a "mere block" or a masterpiece—and find the objective truth hidden in bone.

Finally, the "Stratford authorities," such as the Vicar of the Holy Trinity, represent the immovable wall of tradition. They are the guardians who must be navigated, their indignation at the "cool presumption" of researchers serving as the primary obstacle to the author’s scientific curiosity.

In Its Own Voice

“Let’s talk of graves, of worms, and epitaphs.”

This quote from Richard II serves as the epigraph, setting a somber and reflective tone for the entire essay.

“What would one not give to look upon Shakespeare’s dead face!”

The author highlights this sentiment, quoted from a contributor, to emphasize the profound historical hunger that fuels the desire for exhumation.

“If we shall be so fortunate as to find Shakespeare alive in his grave, we shall of course raise him, and invite him to coöperate in the business of photographing his own shining face.”

This dry, ironic remark mocks the sensationalist alarmism of critics who fear that an investigation would somehow be a magical or impossible violation.

What It's Really About

The central theme is the conflict between the sanctity of the grave and the pursuit of historical truth. The author asks whether the "sentimental respect" we accord the dead should be allowed to obstruct our understanding of the past. He argues that material evidence—such as a skull—possesses an objective reality that tradition and art, which are prone to decay and human error, cannot provide. Ultimately, the book is an exercise in weighing the value of a physical "relic" against the intangible, and often unreliable, narratives we build around our greatest figures. It is an argument for the primacy of fact over the comfort of myth.

Why Read It Today

Readers with an interest in the history of science, literary detective work, or the evolution of funeral customs will find this work fascinating. It is an artifact of Victorian intellectual life, displaying a refreshing, if sometimes stubborn, commitment to reason and empirical measurement.

The prose is precise and dignified, though readers should be prepared for the book's period-specific focus on phrenology and its deeply entrenched, skeptical view of religious objections to grave study. The author does not shy away from the morbid details of decomposition or the logistics of moving coffins, which gives the book a visceral, grounded quality often missing from modern literary criticism.

What lingers is not the macabre nature of the subject, but the author’s persistent questioning: do we know who our heroes really were, or are we content with the masks they left behind? The book is a testament to the idea that, in the quest for truth, even the most hallowed stones should not be beyond questioning. It is a brief, intense, and strange read that challenges the reader to decide where they stand on the line between respecting the dead and uncovering the secrets they have taken to the earth.