William Shakespeare Conspiracy Theories Myth Theory

William Shakespeare, most well known author of all time has always stayed in the top over centuries. Everything including his poets, novels and plays made him the renowned writer. The works attributed to William Shakespeare have always been a master of literature, thus he is called England’s national poet. Although most conspiracy theorists or Antistratfordians believe that Shakespeare didn’t exist, his name is used as a front name to hide the real authors. While some believe that he is an author, but not for all the books that were written in his name. As he is not an exception to the conspiracy theorist, they created a number of conspiracies which makes us doubt his identity. Let us go through some of the theories to know the facts and the reason to cause this theory.

• • Conspiracy Theory – Shakespeare did not exist:

    Fact: No, it is not true

    William Shakespeare born on 26 April 1584 was a famous english poet, actor and dramatist who was born and raised in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. He contributed his entire life to literature. Even Though he is not from a well educated background, his work was masterpieces even after centuries. Yet some of the conspiracy theorists raised more controversy on his appearance, identity, his works and his beliefs. Going beyond the normal limit, some conspiracy theorists claim that there is no person called William Shakespeare. His name is the only thing that exists which got all the fame and the reputation. This is totally a fake theory, as there are many records and documents to state that he lived.

    

  • Conspiracy Theory – He is not the author of all the books that are attributed to him:

    Fact: No, not true

    While some believe that he is not an author at all, some claim that he is not the author of all the books. These are the reasons that make the theorist and people to initiate this theory. William Shakespeare is found to be born in Stratford for the uneducated parents. His father was said to be a glover and mother was a member of the local gentry. Even in the will it is identified that they have only marked their names rather than putting the signature. Many suspected that the background and the works done by him are not related. His works displayed knowledge about court culture, literature, politics and sports such as falcony, lawn-bowling and tennis which he has never experienced. In the early stage he produced some of the plays that are commonly comedies and histories, later he wrote tragedies including Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet which gained more popularity. The books which expressed the knowledge of the court life and the sports which he have never experienced by him raises more conspiracy. Since there is no evidence that other authors were the one to this claim, it is considered as a hoax.

    

  • Conspiracy Theory – Other authors used his name to hide their identity:

    Fact: No, they didn’t

    • Many conspiracy theorists and the Anti-Stratfordians claimed that the name “William Shakespeare” may be used as the front name by different authors to hide their identity for various reasons. But in reality who doesn’t like the credit? No one in this world let others take credit for their work.
    • Conspiracy theorists claim that there are many people who originally wrote his plays and poems. We will see the authors who are commonly stated as the real author of his works.
      Some people claimed that Christopher Marlowe may be the real author to use his name. As the works of both the author is found to be published around the same time and he was found to have capability to write all the books that come under the name of William Shakespeare. Another theory that people came up with is that Marlowe faked his death to escape from the imprisonment for atheistic views. Therefore to hide the fact he is alive, he wrote in Shakespeare’s name.
    • Another person who is linked in the conspiracy theory is William Stanley. Not only his initials, from his background and his knowledge of the various cultures was the main reason for the origination of this theory. He was well educated and understood the finery of the court life which was known to be reflected in the book. There are reasons available to state that he is William Shakespeare,. He involved himself in plays and owned his own theatre company, thus has the knowledge to write such works.
    • All these claims are just an assumption made by the conspiracy theorist rather than the fact. Hence it is considered as a hoax.
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  • Conspiracy Theory – Shakespeare is an actor rather than a writer:

    Fact: No, it is not true

    He may be an actor, but that doesn’t mean he is a writer. Conspiracy theorists and the people believe that William Shakespeare was an actor, not a writer. As people and the conspiracy theorist found some of the references of him being an actor, this theory emerged. This theory was debunked as it lacks evidence.

    

  • Conspiracy Theory – Edward de Vere was the real author of Shakespeare’s work:

    Fact: No, it is not true

    Edward de Vere was assumed to be the one who used the name William Shakespeare as a pseudonym. Conspiracy theorists came to the conclusion, as he was also a courtier poet who is familiar with court and poetry. Since all the works of Shakespeare were in a more refined way to state the things that happened in the court and as Shakespeare didn’t have experience in the royal court, people believed that he was not the real author. Edward de Vere with much experience in this genre also came from the good background which matched his writings. Some people claim that there are many references in Shakespeare’s book that harmonised with the life of de vere. As both authors wrote the plays on the same period, there was a conspiracy.
    There are many other authors whom people consider may be the real author of his plays. Sir Francis Bacon was the head of the literary society who is professional in history and literature.

    

He left the lasting impression that always stays in our memories with plays and poetry. No one can decline his works without proper evidence. Even Though he is a man of mystery, he is one of the renowned authors.