History | History

460 Years Ago, Shakespeare Was Born Here. Or Somewhere.

Every year, millions flock to Stratford-upon-Avon, England, to visit the house known as Shakespeare’s Birthplace. But was he really born there? A whole industry depends on it.

People are likely not familiar with the extent of how specious Shakespeare claims are. Or the "expertise" is just nonsense passed down for generations.

History | History

The Secret Seeker | The Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

How ciphers shaped early modern English literature and inspire us to look more closely at texts we think we know.

Really it was a time of danger and censorship? Who knew?

History | History

The Real Shakespeare? Evidence Points To Earl

In the final part of Morning Edition's series about Shakespeare, co-host Renee Montagne examines the theory that the Earl of Oxford — not the man from Stratford — is actually the bard and author of the world's most famous plays.

Is NPR really credible in claiming to cover this story?

History | History

Who Wrote Shakespeare's Plays? Debate Goes On

Centuries later, doubts persist that William Shakespeare penned the works that bear his name. Skeptics include not only scholars but also famous folks, ranging from Orson Welles to Mark Twain.

But you'd have to have a very strong reason to believe that there was skullduggery or an alternative account.

History | History

Opinion | Shakespeare Doubters (Published 2005)

To the Editor: Re ''The Shakespeare Code, and Other Fanciful Ideas From the Traditional Camp'' (Essay, Arts pages, Aug. 30):

The idea that William Shakespeare's authorship of his plays and poems is a matter of conjecture and the idea that the 'authorship controversy' be taught in the classroom are the exact equivalent of current arguments that 'intelligent design' be taught alongside evolution. In both cases an overwhelming scholarly consensus, based on a serious assessment of hard evidence, is challenged by passionately held fantasies whose adherents demand equal time." This a gross and incredibly bad understanding of the unbelievable consilience that the science represents behind evolution vs the extraordinary incompetence provided here.

History | History

Professor's expertise in Shakespeare leads to top faculty honor | ASU News

 Jonathan Bate has played many parts — scholar of Shakespeare, author, professor, actor, director, playwright, critic, poet, radio presenter and one of the creators of the relatively new discipline of ecocriticism. He was knighted in 2015 for his schol

What are the ethical considerations for scholars who refuse to engage with ideas that threaten their standing? Is it preferable to let them just run away and engage in a new line of "inquiry"?

History | History

An Unexpected Letter from John Paul Stevens, Shakespeare Skeptic

Over six months of correspondence, the Supreme Court Justice was keen on exploring weaknesses in the case for Shakespeare, and I was curious about what led so wise a jurist to embrace a conspiracy theory.

There is nothing more anti-democratic than attacking people for legitimate ideas. And there certainly is nothing more anti-democratic than preventing someone like myself from the ability to even have ideas.

History | History

Teasing apart the meaning of Shakespeare’s First Folio

A new exhibit at Sterling Memorial Library explores the changing perceptions — in prestige and value — of the first printed collection of Shakespeare’s plays.

Important for understand how "scholars" completely miss the mark. This as well as all the other Shakespeare publications was almost obviously a daring act of political dissent that begs to not be taken at face value and yet the "scholars" insist on doing so.

History | History

Justice Stevens’s Dissenting Shakespeare Theory

Among the late Supreme Court Justice’s controversial opinions: a belief that the Bard’s works were actually written by Edward de Vere, the seventeenth Earl of Oxford.

Justice Steven's had great intuition but it is striking that all the people in this movement act as if they can't possibly understand that there is a bigger explanation or that all of the conclusions about Shakespeare should be legitimately under reconsideration.

History | History

William Shakespeare had a secret SIBLING: Long-lost document thought to have been written by the playwright's father was actually penned by his sister, Joan, study claims | Daily Mail Online

Joan Shakespeare is 'almost unknown' but there's 'no doubt' she existed - and was even the writer of a historical religious document, says an academic at the University of Bristol.

This is all part of the sham that "scholars" have been engaging is for hundreds of years propping up their silly and baseless ideas about Shakespeare and "journalists" are all too happy to be willing and complicit participants

History | History

Doubting Shakespeare’s Identity Isn’t a Conspiracy Theory

The Shakespeare authorship question—the theory that William Shakespeare might not have written the works published under his name—is the most horrible, vexed, unspeakable subject in the history of …

Or is it?

History | History

The conspiratorial legacy of Charlton Ogburn – The Island News – Beaufort, SC

It was easy to conceal the truth about Shakespeare's actual identity because the power of the monarchy was available to enforce and they had every incentive to do so.

History | History

Why the Shakespeare authorship is both mysterious and the answer seemingly intractable. The answer was always intended to be available if veiled. Shakespeare publications are the result of political dissent and are subversive. The Sonnets were especially so.