To download a copy of this academic paper in pdf format, please click here: SCHOLARLY CHALLENGE – The Argosy of Andrew in The Merchant of Venice

– SCHOLARLY CHALLENGE –

The Argosy of “Andrew” in

‘The Merchant of Venice’

As we embark on a New Year, I have decided to do something different. As students and scholars alike are preparing to return to schools, colleges, and universities around the world and study the magnificent Kabbalistic infused Venetian plays attributed to Shakespeare, I thought it would be interesting to offer a challenge to scholars and students alike to find the correct Argosy of ‘Andrew’ in Act 1, Scene 1 of ‘The Merchant of Venice’. Previous scholars mistakenly believed ‘Andrew’ referred to the Spanish galley ship San Andrés captured at Cadiz, therefore claimed the play must be dated after news of the capture reached the English Court on 30 July 1596. Here is the passage in Act 1, Scene 1:

My wind cooling my broth,

would blow me to an ague when I thought

what harme a winde too great might doe at sea.

I should not see the sandie howre-glasse runne

But I should thinke of shallowes and of flatts,

And see my wealthy Andrew docks in sand

Vayling her high top lower then her ribs

To kisse her buriall; should I goe to Church

And see the holy edifice of stone

And not bethinke me straight of dangerous rocks,

which touching but my gentle vessels side

would scatter all her spices on the streame,

Enrobe the roring waters with my silkes,

And in a word, but euen now worth this,

And now worth nothing. [1]

Had they forensically examined the references throughout the play, they would have realized it simply couldn’t be the captured ship at Cadiz, many of which date the play much earlier. I have already found the correct ship and have written about the ship in Volume Two of ‘Genesis of the Shakespearean Works’, which is due to be released later this year.

The first scholar or student who writes to me with the correct ship (prior to my book release) with an explanation why it must be the correct ship according to the historical background and the play, I will give them a free copy of my book ‘Genesis of the Shakespearean Works’ posted to your home or business address.

RRP $89.00 USD

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For further information on the Bassano family and their connection to the Shakespearean works, please read my major academic work of ‘Genesis of the Shakespearean Works’. More information is also available on my website at www.petermatthews.com.au, or you can like my Facebook page to keep abreast of any updated material I find. My academia profile is also available here.

[1] Q1, MV 1.1.24-38.