The Anti-Stratfordian Theories

Shakespeare’s works can be described as a source of inquiries and doubts for centuries. Many scholars, even dating back to the seventeenth century, questioned the authorship of the plays that went on to affect the world of literature: the plays of William Shakespeare. Some of those who study literature have a difficult time believing that Shakespeare wrote the plays that made him famous. There are many different theories about who could have written the plays instead of Shakespeare, including alleged authorships by Christopher Marlowe and Queen Elizabeth, but the two more developed theories come with a steady and loyal following. The common nominees are Sir Francis Bacon (the Baconian theory) and Edward de Vere, earl of Oxford (the Oxfordian theory). Though both schools are backed by hard-hitting evidence, that of Edward de Vere has the strongest support.

The basis for the Anti-Stratfordian cause is centered on education—or a lack thereof—and class. The belief is that a man born into the type of socio-economic class that William Shakespeare was would have been incapable of writing about the things he does. Shakespeare grew up as a glover’s son in a small town with little opportunity for the schooling and experience tha

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There were many arguments for an encoded secret answer written in the plays to the question of the real author. Some skeptics allow the idea that Shakespeare had a hand in the London theatres, but they argue that he was “a front man for an aristocratic writer who could not permit his name to be linked to the popular theatre” (McDonald, 24). Although Bacon can be placed at similar areas and times of the plays and even though there are said to be encrypted messages about his authorship, the theory is faulted by the same reason that the theory of Shakespeare being the author is faulted: the knowledge of the royals.

There are incredibly sensitive court issues that are addressed in Shakespeare’s plays; issues that would have angered Queen Elizabeth had they been written outside of the court’s specific influences. Allen says in his account Who Were Shake-speare? that “ultimately, de Vere and Shakesper became the ‘Dynamic Duo,’ collaborators on the…plays. The Oxfordians answer that question by adamantly stating that Edward de Vere is the true author. The education required to write plays of the caliber of those attributed to Shakespeare would include that of attending a high-caliber university and being well-versed in literature and the arts, as well as history. Now, one could argue that since Bacon was of noble blood and high standing, he would have a sufficiently intimate view of the court practices to a degree high enough to write these plays, but de Vere was specifically known for being a praised courtier-poet: someone with access to the customs of the court. There may be some historical reasons behind the Baconian theory, but the Oxfordians have a case that’s a little more solid. There are other tidbits that support the Oxfordians; like the dates of birth and death are in line with the plays, and Shakespeare is said to have been too young to have written the mature plays that were accredited as his first group written, but Bacon and de Vere were of the right age and influence to produce that type of work. Only the Oxfordians have a legitimate explanation for this, and that is the support of de Vere as the true author of Shakespeare’s plays.

Bacon was considered by his contemporaries to be an established poet.

One of the biggest issues taken with Shakespeare’s authorship had to do with his upbringing and place in society, and how, because of it, he lacks the knowledge to write about certain subjects. Probably the strongest evidence for the Baconians is the presence of a man referred to as “Shaxpur” (the sounds changed to Shakespeare over time), and the theory that Bacon had him set up in a small home in Stratford-on-Avon to conceal the identity .

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