Demythologizing Shakespeare: What we Really Know About the Man from Stratford

Abstract

The works of Shakespeare have been justly celebrated since they first appeared in print, especially with the publication of the First Folio in 1623. However, the contemporary records concerning Will Shakspere of Stratford-upon-Avon -- the man credited with writing the works of William Shakespeare -- show that most of what is said or “known” about the man from Stratford is simply undocumented. Will left no notes, no journals, no letters, no manuscripts, no personal comments about anyone, and no literary or educational bequests in his will. The question arises: did he ever write anything? This essay surveys the records and finds that the sparsely documented records concerning William of Stratford make it difficult to accept that he was the true author of the great works.