Shakespeare's Authorship Question. A Short Input to a Long Discussion

Pre-University Paper from the year 2015 in the subject English Language and Literature Studies - Literature, grade: 15 NP, , language: English, abstract: William Shakespeare was born in 1564 and died in 1616 in Stratford-upon-Avon farther writing plays like 'Romeo and Juliet', 'Othello', 'Macbeth', 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' and others. He was a brilliant playwright creating nearly 40 productions and 154 sonnets, while dwelling in London. This is at least the majority opinion taught in schools. There is however reason for doubt. While dealing a bit deeper with Shakespeare you unavoidably will come to the point that opinions differ in the question if he truly was who he pretended to be. Imagine the magnificent bard was not the author of all the dramas, comedies, history plays and poems. Or could it be possible that this famous name was just a pseudonym? And if it was, then the question is why? Which clues for and against are existing? In the English lessons we learned the prevailing aspects along with the common view about the grand composer and his plays. After a rough contribution into the authorship debate more questions emerged and the foundation of this term paper was laid. To come to one of many answers, this work will be structured at first in a short biography of Shakespeare and an overview of his time concerning the theatre and authorship in general. Afterwards I would like to explore positions that assume Shakespeare not to be the man who is thought to be the drafter Shakespeare. On the other hand also the opposing view will be presented and explained. To forge an own profound opinion it is significant to have a review about this complex of themes. A detailed presentation of my own view regarding arguments for and against Shakespeare from Stratford as the writer will be followed by a final synopsis and prospect of the issue. So the focus in this work is more on investigate the Stratford-man than on other theories, even though these will come up for discussion. Because of their multifacetedness it would go beyond the scopes of this term paper.