Does Ben Jonson prove that William Shakspere was William Shakespeare?

From Jonson's writings and conversations we can clearly see that the Stratfordian Shakspere is definitely the great writer we all know. In his writings Jonson plainly identifies with Shakspere and refers to him as "Sweet Swan of Avon," then also dedicates the poem "To William Shakespeare, the Author." Jonson also writes of Shakspeare in his folio Timber or Discoveries. However, the critics still claim that Jonson has no knowledge of Shakespere the person; he is instead telling about the Shakespeare he knows only as a writer. That can easily be disproved by quoting a sample from Jonson's folio that states, "He was indeed honest, and of open and free nature . . ." This clearly does not sound like Jonson is describing someone he does not know. The words "honest" and "free nature" are not something you would use to portray someone you clearly did not know on a personal level. Another piece of evidence proving that Jonson personally knew Shakespeare is in Tom Fuller's book History of the Worthies of England. In this book Fuller researched both Jonson and Shakespeare and also depicted them having witty conversations and trying to outdo one another in verbal battles. It is quite obvious that Jonson did not have conversations with someone who wasn't there.

--Eric Burleson

Sources:

Michell, John. Who Wrote Shakespeare? New York: Thames & Hudson, 1996. 64-77.

Sobran, Joseph. Alias Shakespeare: Solving the Greatest Literary Mystery of All Time. New York: Free Press, 1997. 39-41.

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