A view from the Shakespearean era

I PRESUME Roger Cottrell’s letter headlined “Let’s take the ‘but’ out of politics on both sides of the Border” (Irish Examiner, January 23) was an outburst of frustration at prevailing attitudes and not intended as a carefully reasoned argument.

If he were writing a properly researched piece, he would no doubt begin by informing us that Mercutio wished “a plague on both your houses” in act 3, scene 1 of Romeo and Juliet.

Also, considering that Romeo and Juliet is believed to have been written around 1595, I think Mr Cottrell should have spoken about “the vantage point of 16th century Verona”.

As it is, I am afraid that I am unconvinced by the remainder of the piece.

Jack Downey

University of Limerick

Limerick