Shakespeare's Insomnia, and the Causes Thereof

Shakespeare's Insomnia, and the Causes Thereof is by Franklin H. Head. The opening says insomnia, the lack of “tired Nature's sweet restorer,” is rapidly becoming the chronic terror of all men of active life who have passed the age of thirty-five or forty years. The text says we must turn to Shakespeare “for light on this,” and puts as its first problem whether he was troubled with insomnia.

A letter from Henry Howard, an apparent pawnbroker, is dated Queer Street, London, 10 March, 1593 and warns William Shakespeare, Actor, that the time has passed in which he was to repay 8 shillings and redeem the property in pledge, namely one Henry VIII. shirt of mail and visor, and Portia's law book, and the green bag therefor. A letter from Mordecai Shylock is addressed to William Shakespeare from Fleet Street, near the sign of the Hog in Armor, Nov. 22, 1593. One passage asks how a talent entrusted by the Master of the vineyard has been put to use, and goes on to mention the things which profit not, seeking the applause of the unworthy and the writing of vain plays.