One of the most enduring mysteries from Elizabethan England does not stand with the House of Tudor or other famous nobility. The mystery in question is whether or not a man from the small English town of Stratford-upon-Avon is the true author behind (arguably) the most celebrated dramatic plays in Western literature. His name was William Shakespeare, and there’s not much mystery to the man when you research his background.
Inside the Surprisingly Modest Life of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was indeed from a small town in central England, born in 1564. He never attended a university, and never left his country of birth. He did ostensibly travel around the greater English countryside and entertained royalty, but his life experiences were definitely limited.
He most likely attended King’s New School, where he was taught Latin and grammar from classical texts in the same language. When he was 18, he married Anne Hathaway, and it was probably a marriage of convenience, because six months later their daughter Susanna was born in May 1583. The twins Judith and Hamnet followed their elder sister two years later in February 1585. Young Hamnet died at age 11 on August 11, 1596. Shakespeare divided his time between London and his hometown, primarily writing his plays in the former.
Why Countless Scholars Question the Bard’s True Identity
Though many Shakespearean scholars draw thematic connections between the Bard’s life and his works, there are truly too many details that point toward a higher education and a well-traveled individual (or individuals) for someone of William’s background to have written the plays and poems.
It is possible that a single person could have written the plays, but the individual would have had to be of wealthy means, well-read and educated, well-traveled, and familiar with the political intrigues of the day; in essence, a genius. As previously mentioned, Stratford-upon-Avon wasn’t an important town and didn’t have the same prestige as London. People from other countries would have been a rare sight. There also wouldn’t have been an opportunity for self-education, because books were scarce and a public library didn’t exist. So, what are the theories for how Shakespeare accomplished his theatrical feats?
Was William Shakespeare Just a High Society Cover-Up?
The man we know as William Shakespeare was potentially a country-born actor who got lucky and made some prominent friends throughout his career. When he joined and purchased an ownership share in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (the most prominent acting company of the time), he brought these connections with him. Because he was well-known and had a decent reputation, Shakespeare’s connections may have gotten together and asked Will to allow them to use his name to publish their works. This allowed the potentially true writers of these plays to release their works without fear of ostracism. Who could these true authors have been, though?
Sir Francis Bacon Was a Political Genius Hiding in Plain Sight
One proposed individual was the scholar Francis Bacon. He attended Cambridge University, helped develop the scientific method, was a highly regarded philosopher, and he also had social connections. He was a member of the Tudor court, became Lord Chancellor, and served on the Privy Council. Bacon had everything needed to write the plays, but why wouldn’t he want them ascribed to him?
One theory is that he didn’t want to be known as a playwright, which wasn’t the best occupation. He also poked and prodded the political figures and government of his day. He was a member of the government, so it wouldn’t have looked great for him to be teasing the establishment.
The Earl of Oxford Had the Perfect Background and Suspicious Timing
In the Oxford school of thought, Edward de Vere is a likely candidate. He grew up in the home of Elizabeth I’s chief advisor William Cecil and was richly educated. He was also well-traveled, which would explain the exotic locales featured in many of the plays. The nobleman was also a well-known patron of the arts, dramatist, and poet in his own right. After he published poems under his own name, he stopped, and not long after the first works “authored” by Shakespeare appeared. Edward de Vere would have been careful about publishing under his own name for the same reasons as Bacon.
That being said, a major hurdle in the acceptance of this theory is that de Vere died in 1604, years before many of Shakespeare’s key works were completed.
Did Royal Spy Christopher Marlowe Fake His Own Death?
Christopher Marlowe was more popular than Shakespeare back in Tudor England. He also was from a small town, but he was extremely intelligent and earned two degrees from Cambridge. The writing styles of Marlowe and Shakespeare are believed to be quite similar, which gives rise to the theory that Marlowe is the true author. There is also a theory that Marlowe was a spy for the Tudor court. He published an anti-religious work and supported atheist causes, so he had to be quiet about his associations.
There is much speculation about his death. He was stabbed to death, but some historians believe the death was faked to hide his role as a spy or to avoid arrest for his anti-religious writings. There is also the belief that after faking his death, Marlowe became William Shakespeare. This is believed because two weeks after Marlowe’s death, the first work by Shakespeare was published.
The Elite Women Who May Have Written the Masterpieces
It wasn’t just men who were possible writers of Shakespeare’s work. Women authors are also to be considered, especially when you read the plays. Shakespeare’s work is some of the first to depict women as real people without the traditional stereotypes of being vindictive or the overly moral virgin. Women were shown as friends, written as humans who worked together or dealt with the same issues as men, except in a feminine way.
Some possible women who wrote the works were Mary Sidney, the sister of poet Philip Sidney. She received a classical education, attended the Tudor court, and was a patron of the arts. She was also an accomplished writer who wrote closet dramas that allowed women to act in privacy without the “scandal” of professional theater.
A second viable author is Emilia Bassano, who was born in London to Venetian merchants. It is believed the family converted to Judaism, which would explain the Jewish themes in some of the plays. As a merchant’s daughter, Bassano would have been well-traveled and would have received an education better than Shakespeare’s.
Both women had connections to Shakespeare. As a patron of the arts, Sidney supported theater companies including Shakespeare’s. Bassano was also the mistress of one of Shakespeare’s patrons, so they would have met.
