A portrait of Shakespeare

Question

What is the exact meaning? 1. Someone drew shakespeare.2. Shakespeare drew someone.3. Shakespeare possessed the drawing.

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

#1.

Clive

Contraposition · Answer

Does the phrase not cause confusion?

Clive · Answer

Hi,

a portrait of Shakespeare

What is the exact meaning?
1. Someone drew Shakespeare.

2. Shakespeare drew someone. A native speaker would more naturally say A portrait by Shakespeare.

3. Shakespeare possessed the drawing. A native speaker would not naturally say eg a car of Tom.

Instead, he'd say 'Tom's car'.
Thus, more natural is Shakespeare's portrait.
But note that this phrase does have some ambiguity.
It could in terms of grammar mean that the portrait was owned by Shakespeare, or that it portrayed Shakespeare. The context would usually make the intended meaning clear.

Clive

Contraposition · Answer

thanks

A portrait of Shakespeare

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