According to new research conducted by Jayne Archer, a researcher in Renaissance literature at Aberystwyth University, Shakespeare was apparently much more than just a creative genius and playwright, he was also quite the businessman.
According to Archer's research, Shakespeare, dealt in grains, but wasn't exactly a practitioner of fair business, repeatedly being dragged in front of the court for illegally hoarding grains during a time of food shortages.
"There was another side to Shakespeare besides the brilliant playwright, as a ruthless businessman who did all he could to avoid taxes, maximize profits at others' expense and exploit the vulnerable, while also writing plays about their plight to entertain them," said Archer, according to the IndianExpress. "Over a 15-year period Shakespeare purchased and stored grain, malt and barley for resale at inflated prices to neighbors."
Archer and her colleague's, Richard Marggraf Turley and Howard Thomas, found the information by digging through documents in the court and tax archives.
However, as Philly.com points out, some scholars have given the Bard a bit of leeway considering the time period.
"He lived and wrote in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, during a period known as the "Little Ice Age," when unusual cold and heavy rain caused poor harvests and food shortages," the article said.
Archer remained dismayed by Shakespeare's acts.
"I think, now, we have a rather rarefied idea of writers and artists as people who are disconnected from the everyday concerns of their contemporaries," Archer said. "But for most writers for most of history, hunger has been a major concern - and it has been as creatively energizing as any other force."
Due to his presumptuous activities and extensive success as a writer, Shakespeare was able to retire an extremely wealthy man.
"By combining both illegal and legal activities, Shakespeare was able to retire in 1613 as the largest property owner in his home town, Stratford- upon-Avon," researchers said. "His profits - minus a few fines for illegal hoarding and tax evasion - meant he had a working life of just 24 years."
