Exploring the evidence that the works of Shakespeare were written by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford
Exploring the evidence that the works of Shakespeare were written by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford
For more than 400 years, Shakespeare’s 37 surviving plays, 154 sonnets, and other poems have been read, performed, taught, reinterpreted, and enjoyed the world over. In the interest of contemporary connections for teachers and students, this Teacher’s Resource includes lesson plans and instructional materials, as well as NEH supported projects that advance research and teaching of Shakespeare in classrooms and for the public.
The Shakespeare Authorship Question has been called the greatest literary mystery of all time. Is it possible the wrong person has been credited with writing the plays and poems of Shakespeare? If so, how would that affect our understanding of these works and their historical context?
Understanding Shakespeare’s Language
A lesson plan and new approach to teaching Hamlet! These tips will help you make sense of the language and read it well, either to yourself or out loud. Teach students about the autobiographical elements in Hamlet and the intriguing question about who wrote the plays.
Understanding Shakespeare’s Language
A lesson plan and new approach to teaching Romeo & Juliet. These tips will help your students make sense of the language and read it well. Teach students about the intriguing question about who wrote the plays of Shakespeare.
Understanding Shakespeare’s Language
A lesson plan and new approach to teaching Macbeth. These tips will help your students make sense of the language and read it well. Teach students about the intriguing question about who wrote the plays of Shakespeare.
Understanding Shakespeare’s Language
A lesson plan and new approach to teaching A Midsummer Night’s Dream. These tips will help your students make sense of the language and read it well. Teach students about the intriguing question about who wrote the plays of Shakespeare.
Shakespeare or Shakspere?
Look closely and you will see little evidence that Shakspere of Stratford-upon-Avon wrote the plays and poems in the canon. Examine the case for a more likely author.
Short Introductory lesson plan
Explore internet links to arguments for and against the proposed authors, with recommendations for students to explore.
The Shakespeare Authorship Inquiry
Students learn to tell facts from speculation, historical evidence from guesses and supposition.
Multimodal Part 1
Engage students in a critical inquiry into the Shakespeare authorship question, while building essential academic skills. Students learn source evaluation & information literacy, historical and critical inquiry, and practice presenting and debating.
Multimodal Part 2
30 Arguments for both sides of the authorship question, with counter arguments
Multimodal Part 3
Team Stratford and Team Oxford take sides and debate! A guide to lively discussion!
MULTIMODAL PART 4
Students conduct a 7-day trial while learning research, analysis and collaboration in a mock trial.
Researcher Diana Price’s Evidence of Authorship
Examine the literary trail of 24 authors from the time of Shakespeare.
Practice identifying credible online resources
100 Commonly found Shakespearean insults
Stritmatter, R. A. (2022). The Shakespeare Authorship Sourcebook: A Resource for Educators and Students, (2nd ed.). Independently published, available on Amazon.
Winkler, Elizabeth. (2023). Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature. New York: Simon & Schuster. Available on Amazon.
Price, Diana. (2000). Shakespeare’s Unorthodox Biography: New Evidence of an Authorship Problem. Contributions in Drama and Theatre Studies, no. 94. Westport, CT / London: Greenwood Press (Praeger). Available on Amazon.
Anderson, M. (2005). Shakespeare by another name: The life of Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford, the man who was Shakespeare. Gotham Books. Available on Amazon.
The Oxfordian Narrative. View PDF.
Anonymous
Hollywood film directed by Roland Emmerich with Vanessa Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Rhys Ifans and Derek Jacobi. Available to rent on Prime Video.
Last Will & Testament
An entertaining quest to uncover the truth behind the world’s most elusive author. Available to rent on Prime Video.
Nothing is Truer than Truth
The life of Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, who spent a year and a half traveling Europe collecting the experiences that would become the Shakespeare plays. Available to rent on Prime Video.
Introduction to Who Wrote Shakespeare on Coursera
Free course from the University of London explores critical thinking and the interpretation of texts through the Shakespeare authorship question. Explores the key concept of authorship attribution, while developing skills in literary analysis, interpretation, and argument. Through forensic exploration of key texts, you will learn why Shakespeare’s authorship is questioned, and what evidence is cited on both sides of the debate.
The Shakespeare Authorship Coalition
Website dedicated to legitimizing the Shakespeare authorship issue by increasing awareness of reasonable doubt about the identity of William Shakespeare. Home of the Declaration of Reasonable Doubt About the Identity of William Shakespeare. Visit DoubtAboutWill.org.
Visit our Discover Shakespeare section for a discussion of the authorship question, and more.
Watch videos of past conferences or attend the yearly conference and rub elbows with other Oxfordians from around the world.
Visit our publications secton for SOF-authored works including our newsletter, annual journal and links to scholarly websites.
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