William Shakespeare’s Will: Bequest to Anne Hathaway. (1616) 

“Item I gyve unto my wife my second best bed with the furniture”

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1️⃣ Reflect on the themes of love, memory, and legacy by exploring how the poem reimagines Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway’s relationship.

2️⃣ Analyze the structure, rhyme scheme, and meaning of the poem, examining how Duffy crafts a deeply personal and intimate portrayal of love.

3️⃣ Identify and discuss key literary devices such as metaphor, personification, and imagery, evaluating how they enhance the poem’s emotional depth.

4️⃣ Interpret the significance of the “second-best bed” and how Duffy subverts its historical context to create a narrative of passion and devotion.

5️⃣ Examine the connection between poetry and love by exploring how Duffy presents Shakespeare’s words as an enduring, physical, and emotional presence.

6️⃣ Engage in thoughtful discussion and critical interpretation, expressing personal responses to the poem’s themes and poetic techniques.

📌 Step 1: Warm-Up Activity – The Meaning of a Gift (5 Minutes)

Let’s make it fun! 

Before we explore Carol Ann Duffy’s reinterpretation of Anne Hathaway’s story, let’s take a moment to reflect on the significance of personal belongings and what they mean to us.

💭 Engage with the activity below and share your thoughts:

Mentimeter Question:

💡If you could leave one personal item to someone important in your life, what would it be, for whom, and why?

Write ONE word – an item you would leave to someone important. 

📝 Type your response in the space provided below and click 'Submit.'

Feel free to add multiple responses if you have more thoughts to share.

Let’s see how the meaning of personal gifts and inheritances varies from person to person! 

Historical Context of Anne Hathaway

📜 Shakespeare’s Will (1616): In his will, William Shakespeare left his “second-best bed” to his wife, Anne Hathaway, which some historians have interpreted as an insult, while others argue it was a sentimental gesture, as the best bed was often reserved for guests.

✍️ Carol Ann Duffy's Poem: In her poem "Anne Hathaway," Carol Ann Duffy reimagines this bequest, portraying the bed as a symbol of the couple's passionate and creative relationship. The poem presents Anne Hathaway's perspective, celebrating their love and intimacy. 

🏛 Elizabethan Marriage Norms: In the Elizabethan era, marriages were often seen as practical arrangements rather than romantic unions. However, Duffy's poem offers a romanticized view, suggesting a deep emotional and creative bond between Anne Hathaway and Shakespeare

Sonnet:  Anne Hathaway

📌 Step 3: Match the Meaning - (Collaborative Pair/Group Work) 

Open the Google Document.
Read the lines from Anne Hathaway carefully.
Choose the best explanation from the options provided.
Discuss your choices with your group members.

💭 Discussion Questions:

After completing the matching activity, discuss the following questions in small groups:

1️⃣ Who is Anne Hathaway, and how is she presented in this poem?
2️⃣ What is the purpose of the introductory line from Shakespeare’s will?
3️⃣ Why does Duffy compare their love to poetry?
4️⃣ What does the "second-best bed" symbolize in the poem?
5️⃣ How does the poem challenge traditional historical views of Shakespeare’s will?
6️⃣ How do literary devices (metaphor, personification, enjambment) contribute to the poem’s emotional depth?
7️⃣ Does the poem successfully argue that Anne Hathaway and Shakespeare had a deep and passionate relationship? Why or why not?

📌 Step 4: Thoughtful Discussion & Critical Interpretation 

Discuss and reflect on the poem’s themes and techniques.

📝 Discussion Questions:
1️⃣ Do you think Duffy successfully changes how we view Anne Hathaway’s role in Shakespeare’s life? Why or why not?
2️⃣ Does the “second-best bed” now feel more meaningful?
3️⃣ Would you prefer a sentimental or expensive gift? Why?

What’s your biggest takeaway?