mik-e_smilez Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 Pipes Show Cocaine, Other Drugs Common in Shakespeare's EnglandBy Ed StoddardReutersJOHANNESBURG, South Africa (March 1) - Was William Shakespeare partial to agood deal more than a pinch of tobacco while composing his sonnets?While there is no proof the bard delved into narcotics, clay pipe fragmentsexcavated from his Stratford-upon-Avon home and of the 17th century periodshow conclusively that cocaine and myristic acid - a hallucinogenic derivedfrom plants, including nutmeg - were smoked in Shakespeare's England.The findings, published in the latest issue of the South African Journal ofScience, also show hints of residues of cannabis or marijuana, but this hasnot been proven. Nicotine, unsurprisingly, was one of the compounds firmlyidentified."The cocaine was found in two of the 24 pipe fragments examined, which isreally quite remarkable," Dr. Francis Thackeray, a palaeontologist at theTransvaal Museum in Pretoria who co-write the article, told Reuters."The Spanish had access to it at that time in the Americas, but the factthat it was smoked in England at that time is a first. It is quite a find,"said Thackeray, who is a distant relative of the famous 19th century Englishauthor."Cocaine was recorded in Europe about 200 years ago, but to our knowledgenever this early," he said."...apparently no chemical analyses have been undertaken to determine whatsubstances other than tobacco may have been smoked in England during the17th century," the article said.It said cannabis sativa, the plant from which marijuana is derived, "wascertainly accessible in Elizabethan England for paper, rope, garments andsails."The fragments, which were lent to Thackeray by the Shakespeare BirthplaceTrust, were examined with the help of Inspector Tommie van der Merwe of theSouth African Police Service's Forensic Science Laboratory.DRUG-INDUCED POETRY AND PROSE?The findings are certain to spark tantalizing speculation that England'sfavorite writer may have been inspired to write his enduring classics whileunder the influence of substances associated with bohemian authors of the20th century."There is some suggestive evidence in Shakespeare's own writing," saidThackeray."In sonnet 76 he refers to a 'noted weed' which may have been a reference tocannabis," he said."In the same sonnet, he refers to 'compounds strange' and the word compoundsis a known reference to drugs," he said."But I think Shakespeare, who may have experimented with these substances,is saying he would rather turn away from them. I would not read it as anendorsement of drug use," he said.Reuters 06:12 03-01-01------------------'i wish U Heaven'"People who talk in metaphors should shampoo my crotch""and remember Kids, You Can't spell cracKed out with K"aol IM=MikE420DKE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lolly Posted March 1 Report Share Posted March 1 I KNEW weed was intellectually stimulating!! ------------------ Please meet Jammin' Jimmy, the Dancin' Machine!! (thanks Daniela)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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