The Debunking of Shakespeare: Unraveling the Truth Behind His Playwriting Career

Introduction

William Shakespeare, hailed as one of the greatest playwrights in the English language, is known for his 37 or 38 plays, plus acting, directing, and producing. However, the prevailing belief that he wrote just ten plays seems contradictory to his vast contributions to English literature. This article explores the authorship controversy and debunks the myth that Shakespeare wrote just ten plays, presenting the evidence that points to the Earl of Oxford as the true author.

The Myth of Limited Playwriting

The common belief is that Shakespeare wrote 37 or 38 plays. However, this number significantly understates his true contributions. A close examination of court records reveals that many plays attributed to "Shaksper" first appeared as short court masques in the 1570s. These plays include:
- The True Tragedy of Richard the Third
- The Troublesome Reign of King John
- The Taming of the Shrew
- King Leir
- The Famous Victories of Henry the V
- An early Hamlet

The Role of the Earl of Oxford

Court Records and Early Play Activities

Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, had his own company of players, inherited from his father, and was raised in a family with a long history of theatrical activities dating back to the 15th century. His grandfather, the Fifteenth Earl, employed the Protestant convert John Bale, who wrote more than a dozen plays for him in the early 1530s. The Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, was patronized by the Earl of Oxford's Men, a playing company that flourished from the 1540s until about 1563. He revived the company in 1580, and it played at court and in the provinces until 1602.

Earl of Oxford was deeply involved in the theatrical world, writing masks for the Queen in the 1570s and expanding them in the 1580s. Some of these plays were acted by the company of the Lord Strange, Earl of Oxford's uncle. The plays, such as "The True Tragedy of Richard the Third," "The Troublesome Reign of King John," and "The Taming of the Shrew," were documented as performed by the Earl of Oxford and his company in the court records.

Shakespeare and Courtly Poetry

Shakespeare, on the other hand, was praised as a talented lyric poet and playwright. He was acknowledged in early works of English poetry such as "The Arte of English Poesie" (1589), where he is described as ‘excellent’ for comedy and enterludes. Additionally, he was praised by Francis Meres in "Palladis Tamia" (1598), where he is ranked as one of the best playwrights of his time for comedy.

Funding and Grants

The Earl of Oxford's involvement in theater was not just limited to writing. He became a significant figure in the Tudor propaganda machine, and the Queen granted him a yearly stipend of ￡1,000 (equivalent to over ￡1 million today) to produce plays and masques for the court. This substantial financial support underscored his importance in the theatrical industry of the time.

Conclusion

The evidence presented here challenges the idea that Shakespeare wrote only ten plays. The Earl of Oxford, Edward de Vere, played a crucial role in the theatrical world of the 16th century, writing and producing plays and masques. His activities in the court and his funding provide a compelling argument that he was the author of many of the plays traditionally attributed to Shakespeare.

The authorship controversy continues to be a topic of debate. While the traditional view holds that Shakespeare wrote 37 or 38 plays, the evidence points to a much greater contribution from Edward de Vere, the Earl of Oxford. This realization not only reshapes our understanding of Shakespeare's career but also provides a more comprehensive view of the theatrical landscape of the 16th century.

References:
- Ramon Jiménez, Shakespeare’s Apprenticeship, McFarland, 2018
- Historical records from the court
- Early works of English poetry praising Shakespeare