Shakespeare

Paper Summary:

This paper introduces the notion that the famous William Shakespeare was writing under a pseudonym. The paper explores how Shakespeare may have been Edward De Vere, Francis Bacon or Christopher Marlowe. It offers clues, insight and reasoning for each alleged identity.

From the Paper:

"The question is an astounding one and there are many theories as to why De Vere would not write under his own name. Gibson contends, "It would have been unseemly, his advocates point out, for a courtier to attach his name to public wares. And De Vere was a truly uncommon nobleman: he was the hereditary Lord Great Chamberlain and a sometime favorite of Elizabeth I's" (Gibson). According to Gibson, the man had his reasons and they were clearly connected with his nobility. Despite this fact, Gibson and others are convinced that De Vere did "leave clues" (Gibson). For example, his copy of the Geneva Bible has been discovered in the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington and "to the delight of advocates, words are underlined that reappear in the masterpieces" (Gibson). Among these little treasures are "I am that I am" from the book of Exodus. This passage is found in a letter that De Vere "wrote to his father-in-law in 1584 but also in 'Sonnet 121.'" Gibson also states that among De Vere's clues in the Bible are the words "weaver's beam" from the book of II Samuel, which appear in The Merry Wives of Windsor as well as one of Falstaff speeches. According to Gibson, other examples of De Vere's clues exist as well."

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