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
In some of his plays, Shakespeare expresses intimate knowledge of these court practices through characters such as Richard III and Henry V in the noted tragedy and epic plays, respectively. 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. The Oxfordians answer that question by adamantly stating that Edward de Vere is the true author. There may be some historical reasons behind the Baconian theory, but the Oxfordians have a case that's a little more solid. 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. Those who believe that Sir Francis Bacon was the true author go as far as to publish a journal supporting their theory called Baconiana, where the plays are torn apart for clues to the true author. 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 . There still needs to be a way to account for the in-depth familiarity of the hypocrisy, power, vanity, and chaos that made up the court. There were many arguments for an encoded secret answer written in the plays to the question of the real author. The use of a "decoy author" of sorts in the form of a humble man named Shaksper of Stratford would be necessary because the Queen wouldn't have tolerated such possibly negative things written about royalty without overseeing it or knowing the author intimately. Without a university education, there is little room for him to be well versed enough in virtually anything in order to write such detailed plays.
Common topics in this essay:
Francis Bacon,
William Shakespeare,
Vere Shakesper,
Shakespeare Rivals,
Shakespeare Shakespeare,
III Henry,
Shakespeare Stratford,
Oxford Oxfordian,
Queen Elizabeth,
,
de vere,
true author,
francis bacon,
baconian theory,
sir francis,
edward de vere,
edward de,
sir francis bacon,
vere true author,
knowledge court,
written plays,
shakespeare's plays,
noted weed,
de vere true,
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Acceptance Essays
