Can we know who wrote Shakespeare?

Based on my research, I determined that there are not enough conclusive facts to provide a clear case for either the Earl of Oxford or the man from Stratford-upon-Avon. This paper deals with three main issues.

First, the sport of falconry. Shakespeare's plays and sonnets contain a significant number of references to this very unique sport, enough to make a case for the Earl of Oxford. Secondly, the nautical terms in the writings are very specialized, most of which would be unknown to the Earl of Oxford, who was not a sailor. The advocates of the man from Stratford claim this as a major boost to their theory. Thirdly, the Oxfordians argue that the references to Queen Elizabeth's court could only be known by someone who was present and active in her presence.

Based on the variety of these findings, I could not accurately identify the author of Shakespeare's works.

--Luke Damiani

Sources:

Matus, Irvin Leigh. Shakespeare, In Fact. New York: Continuum, 1994.

Michell, John F. Who Wrote Shakespeare? New York: Thames and Hudson, 1996.

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