The Shakespeare authorship debate

The Shakespeare authorship debate questions whether William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon truly wrote the plays and poems attributed to him. Some believe that other individuals—such as Edward de Vere, Francis Bacon, or Christopher Marlowe—may have been the real authors, citing reasons like Shakespeare’s limited education or social background. Proponents argue that historical records support Shakespeare’s authorship, while skeptics see inconsistencies or motives for concealment. The debate remains unresolved, blending historical scholarship with alternative theories, and reflects differing views on how literary history should be understood.