On the banks of Avon

      

Shakespeare's Statue

The Gower Memorial

Prince Hall

  

Statue of Hamlet

   
















  As we came near the heart of the newly developed town, we saw a huge square enclosure with the statue of Shakespeare sitting in a ruminating posture on a pedestal . On the four corners around, the bronze statues of Lady Macbeth, Hamlet, Falstaff and Prince Hall (later Henry IV) are seen. These four characters represent tragedy, philosophy, comedy and History-- the four varieties of characters through whom Shakespeare expressed his views on human nature coupled with his lofty flights of poetic imagination in dramatic verse. This memorial called Gower Memorial is located in Bancroft Gardens. This monument was sponsored by a Scottish aristocrat, Lord Ronald Sutherland Gower, who donated it to Stratford in 1888. This is located in the scenic setting of beautiful Bancroft gardens which was once actually used as a grazing land for cattle.


   

Lady Macbeth

John Falstaff

      

By the riverside

Bancroft Gardens

Later we went to an Indian restaurant just a few yards away from Henley Street. What a surprise! I found  South Indian dishes of various kinds in this Elizabethan town where none might have heard of these Indian refreshments. Just opposite our restaurant there was a pub where traditional English ale with meat and bread were served. Stratford has become a meeting point for denizens of various cultures and races. But the unifying element is Shakespeare's universal appeal and his everlasting poetic freshness and unforgettable characters.

As we came to the banks of Avon, a beautiful view of green pasture surrounded by elms and willows emerged with a row of colorful houseboats moored to the bank. Flocks of geese and swans floated freely on rippling waters of Avon. Some entertainment shows were going on near by while a vehicle stood with counters selling ice cream. We lay down on the soft grass watching the scenic beauty of Avon which had fired the imagination of Shakespeare to break into rapturous lyrics in midst of lengthy dramatic soliloquies and descriptive dialogues. Actually his picturesque descriptions compensated much the conditions of the Elizabethan stage which lacked sophisticated scenery and dramatic accessories. Some people stayed in the house boats as their temporary dwelling, perhaps out of desire and love to live amidst beautiful surroundings or just to spend some time where their beloved poet used to spend his leisure time along with his friends . Grandfathers and grandmothers were seen watching their children play in the cool evening breeze. Some were throwing crumbs of bread into the river and were watching with glee as the swans dived in to catch the crumbs with competitive speed and skill. Mothers with kids in prams were sitting as their older children were lapping up ice cream from cones. Young couples were loafing around making jovial remarks amidst peals of laughter. Some were just sitting on the soft grass with a lot of junk food and bottles of coke to satisfy their appetites. 



  

Cruising on Avon

House Boats on Avon

  

People relaxing in Bancroft gardens

Ice Cream Van

In one corner I noticed a young couple completely absorbed in their amorous dream world unmindful of others and surroundings. A young African (as strong as Othello yet good-looking) was relaxing on the lap of a white lady with lustrous golden hair and rosy cheeks (Desdemona-like), who with a sense of immense affection was wiping the remnants of the iced cake from the thick, sensual lips of her dark lover. I thought how Shakespeare would have portrayed this unusual union of lovers in his verse. Even in Elizabethan times some ladies married moors for some reason or other, which might have fired the imagination of the bard to come up with his famous play "Othello" where the poet showed the valiant and emotional nature of the moor, who easily yielded to jealous feelings duped by his subordinates. Of course his credulous nature had been exploited by a malicious person like Iago on flimsy grounds. Now by looking at this modern couple I felt and wished that nothing of that sort would happen.

      

Floating swans and geese

Row of house boats on Avon

In the fading light of the darkening evening we bid good bye to Avon crossing the Clopton Bridge and casting our parting glances with a sense of heaviness. We bid farewell to Shakespeare's hometown, but our minds were loaded with so many sights and scenes associated with his life and plays which we would never forget.

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      13th June, 2014                                                                    Somaseshu Gutala