Is it fair to attack a man who isn't alive to defend himself?

Rating: Null/10 (4 February 2005)

As a great admirer of Shakespeare, I felt it was unkind and ungrateful to characterize him as a whoremonger, for which libel there exists no evidence generally known to the public. "Shakespeare in Love" was vapid, fumbling and silly but not entertaining, entirely un-Shakespearean in spirit and effect. What purpose could it possibly have served to defame Shakespeare, shaming and belittling him for all posterity to come? Why was it necessary? For all the filmmakers know, Shakespeare may have living descendants, together with millions of admirers, many of whom are sure to be offended by the scandalous characterization.