Who was Shakespeare's Dark Lady?
One of the most fascinating puzzles in literature is the identity of 'the woman coloured ill' who inspired many of Shakespeare's sonnets. From them we know she was dark, musical, fickle and of doubtful reputation. Now Dr A. L. Rowse claims she was Emilia Lanier. daughter of an Italian musician. But how sure can we be?
The question is discussed by Dr A. L. Rowse. Fellow of All Souls College, Oxford
Professor Joel Hurstfield , Astor Professor of English History at University College, London
Dr Stanley Wells, Reader in English Literature at Birmingham and Fellow of the Shakespeare Institute. Stratford In the chair George Scott Producer ELIZABETH SMITH