Scientists in South Africa believe they may have discovered the stimulus for Shakespeare's creative genius - cannabis.

Dr Frances Thackery and Professor Nick van der Merwe are investigating whether the secret of the Bard's prolific output was his dope-smoking, reports the Independent on Sunday.



This project has Stratford agog

Dr Frances Thackery

A number of clay pipes found at Shakespeare's home in Stratford-upon-Avon are currently being tested for traces of the drug. Dr Thackeray, head of palaeontology at the Transvaal Museum in Pretoria, believes imagery used in Shakespeare's work points to a drug habit. Put that in your pipe... He told the paper the playwright's use of complex imagery of darkness and mental journeys provide evidence of drug-induced visions.



