Which Shakespeare Conspiracy Theories Exist?

The Shakespeare authorship question, which involves the idea that William Shakespeare might not have written the works attributed to him, has been a contentious topic in history. Theories such as the Baconian Theory and the Alien Theory have emerged, with many scholars believing that Shakespeare did not actually write the works attributed to him. The history of Shakespeare conspiracy theories is filled with crackpots, grifters, and some of the most wacky stories.

The Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship contends that Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford, wrote the plays and poems of William Shakespeare. However, there is no documentary evidence from anyone in the period, and historians and critics have compiled compelling evidence for ruling out Shakespeare and considering other theories.

In the podcast “60 Minutes with Shakespeare”, Simon Palfrey answers the question: why Conspiracy Theories? The Shakespeare authorship question is the argument that someone other than William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon wrote the works attributed to him. English professor Dr. Paul Budra explores the contrasts between conspiracy theories rampant both in William Shakespeare’s time and in our own era.

The bogus question of “who actually wrote Shakespeare’s plays?” is in the news again, with Jodi Picoult thinking that Emilia Bassano (aka Aemilia Lanier) wrote the plays and poetry associated with the name William Shakespeare.