Did Edward de Vere write Shakespeare's plays and poems?

Yes. In recent studies, scholars have come to the conclusion that Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, was the mastermind behind the greatest sonnets and plays of the Elizabethan Age.

Beginning with de Vere's class distinction, he was of the nobility; therefore, he would disgrace his family name by being known as an author of poetry. The high-class society did not write poetry or plays. As a result, scholars believe William Shakespeare was de Vere's pseudonym. The pseudonym was a facade for de Vere, so he could continue to write his classic poetry.

Next, the author of the sonnets expressed a lot of knowledge about court life that only insiders would know about. When did William Shakspere have time to experience court life? He was brought up by a poor family in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Furthermore, the sonnets are believed to have been written in 1590, and made public in 1598. If this is true, de Vere would have been forty and Shakespeare twenty-six. Sonnets 62, 73, and 138 depict an older author of the sonnets. As a result, de Vere would be the favorite in this debate.

Adding to the sonnet controversy, it is believed de Vere hinted his name in the sonnets. For example, Sonnet 76 states, "That every word doth almost tell my name." When the letters of "every word" are rearranged to EYWORD VER, they resemble EDWARD DE VERE.

Based on the evidence it is highly probable that Edward de Vere wrote the sonnets; however, according to Charlton Ogburn, a famous critic and author, the Shakespeare controversy is "the greatest literary mystery of all time."

--John Koubaroulis

Soures:

"Frontline: The Shakespeare Mystery." PBS Video, 1989.

Mitchell, John. Who Wrote Shakespeare? New York: Thames & Hudson, 1996. 175-177, 183.

Tweedale, Ralph. Wasn't Shakespeare Someone Else? Southfield, Mich.: Verity Press, 1971. 11-12.

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