The Shakespearean Mystery: Did Another Author Pen the Bard's Plays?

For centuries, William Shakespeare has been considered the preeminent English playwright, crafting masterpieces such as Hamlet, Macbeth, and Romeo and Juliet. Despite his undeniable talent and celebrated works, a persistent scholarly debate suggests that someone else might have authored the plays traditionally attributed to him. This article delves into the evidence for and against this alternative authorship theory, providing insights and arguments that could sway your understanding of the true author behind these renowned plays.

Legends of the Bard and His Fearsome Reputation

The political landscape of Shakespeare’s England was treacherous, with writers and critics often facing severe punishments for their controversial works. When John Stubbs gained Queen Elizabeth I’s displeasure by penning a pamphlet that offended the Queen, he suffered an extreme punishment. Soldiers forcefully removed Stubbs from bed, and the Queen commanded them to chop off his right hand with a mallet. Three strikes with the heavy tool were required before the sentence was fully carried out, and Stubbs endured a lengthy imprisonment.

Given this environment, it would be reasonable to ask: if the potential consequences were so harsh, would 15-year-old Shakespeare dare to write so many plays, sonnets, and long poems that might anger the Queen? The answer is a resounding no. The political climate was undoubtedly a factor that would make any writer think twice before attributing their work to Shakespeare to avoid the wrath of the Queen.

The Immortal Works and Unlikely Keywords

Critics and scholars explore a myriad of circumstantial evidence to support the argument that someone else might have penned the plays. These include the lack of certain keywords in the written works, such as the absence of references to canals in The Merchant of Venice. In this play, the lack of geographical details that a local author would have known might suggest that the author did not have firsthand experience. Similarly, references to Italian geography and culture in plays like Romeo and Juliet and The Comedy of Errors might indicate that the author was familiar with Italian locales and customs, leading some to suggest that they were written by someone with direct experience of Italy.

Secrets in the Texts

Several insider details within the plays also hint at the author’s background. In The Merchant of Venice, the mention of the Rialto bridge, which would seemingly inform about a monumental Venetian structure, might suggest that someone intimate with Venice wrote the play. Another example can be seen in Romeo and Juliet, where the detailed knowledge of Italian geography, such as the description of sycamore trees in a western grove, points to the author’s likely residence or frequent visits to Italy.

The Tale of Sources and Authorship

The textual evidence that challenges Shakespeare’s authorship comes from his own access to certain sources. The poem The Rape of Lucrece, for example, references Latin works not translated into English until well after 1600. The author of this poem, falling within the timeframe of 1590s, would have needed to be a proficient scholar of Latin to write and publish such works. Yet, Ben Jonson, a contemporary who knew Shakespeare, claimed that Shakespeare had "small" or limited knowledge of Latin. This contradiction further fuels the debate about Shakespeare’s actual authorship.

Conclusion

The debate over the true author of Shakespeare’s plays remains a hot topic among scholars and enthusiasts. While the majority attribute these works to Shakespeare, the circumstantial evidence offers enough substance to warrant further investigation. Whether one agrees or disagrees, the mystery adds an intriguing layer of complexity to our understanding of one of the most influential literary figures in English history.