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Unit 2: The Seven Ages of Man by William Shakespeare

A few other scholars were of the opinion that the term “second-best bed” usually refers to the Notes
bed belonging to the household’s mistress and master —the marital bed—and the “first-best
bed” was reserved for guests.

2.4 Controversy and Literary Legacy

Around 150 years after William Shakespeare’s death, questions arose about the authorship of his
plays. Literary critics and scholars began floating names such as Edward de Vere, Christopher
Marlowe and Francis Bacon as these were men with literary accreditation, better known
backgrounds and inspiration. Much of this confusion reduced from the sketchy details of William
Shakespeare’s life and the lack of contemporary primary sources. Official records from the
Stratford government and the Holy Trinity Church record the birth and existence of a William
Shakespeare, but none of these records prove that he was a playwright or an actor.
Sceptics also doubted as to how could somebody with such modest education write with the
poetic power and intellectual perceptiveness which is displayed in William’s works. Numerous
groups have emerged over centuries that have questioned the authorship of William Shakespeare’s
works.
The most serious scepticism began in the 19th century as it was during this period that
Shakespeare became very famous and admiration for him was at its highest. Critics were of the
opinion that the only solid evidence surrounding Shakespeare from Stratford-upon-Avon showed
that he was a man who married at a young age and became successful in real estate. Members of
the Shakespeare Oxford Society which was founded in 1957 argue that English aristocrat Edward
de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, was the actual author of the plays and poems of “William
Shakespeare.” The Oxfordians mention de Vere’s wide-ranging knowledge of aristocratic society,
his education, and the structural similarities between his poetry and that seen in the works
credited to Shakespeare. They challenge and believe that William had neither the literary training
nor the education to write such powerful prose and come up with such rich characters.

On the other hand, several Shakespearean scholars challenge that William wrote all his own
plays. They said that other playwrights of the time came from modest backgrounds and had
sketchy histories. Shakespearean scholars contend that Stratford’s New Grammar School
curriculum of Latin and the classics was such that it could provide a good foundation for literary
writers. Those supporting Shakespeare’s authorship also say that the lack of evidence about
William Shakespeare’s life doesn’t mean that he didn’t exist. They point at evidence that shows
his name on the title pages of published plays and poems. Instances exist of critics and authors
of the time recognising William Shakespeare as author of plays like The Comedy of Errors, The
Two Gentlemen of Verona and King John. Royal records from 1601 indicate that William was
recognised as a member of the King’s Men theatre company which was formally called the
Chamberlain’s Men and a Groom of the Chamber by the court of King James I, where the
company performed seven of William’s plays. There is also strong incidental proof of personal
relationships by contemporaries who interacted with Shakespeare as a playwright and an actor.

Notes Only eighteen of William Shakespeare’s plays were published separately in quarto
editions during his time. A complete collection of Shakespeare’s works did not appear till
the First Folio was published in 1623, many years after Shakespeare’s death. Nonetheless,
William’s colleagues’ recognised Shakespeare’s achievements. In 1598, Francis Meres cited
“honey-tongued” Shakespeare for his plays and poems, and the Chamberlain’s Men became
the foremost dramatic company in London, installed as members of the royal household
in 1603.

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