1 Shakespeare’s Identity:
There is ongoing debate over whether William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon was the true author of the works attributed to him. Some suggest that another individual, such as Edward de Vere or Francis Bacon, could have written them under Shakespeare’s name.
2. His Education: It is unclear how much formal education Shakespeare actually received. While he likely attended the local grammar school in Stratford, there are no surviving records to confirm this, leading to speculation about how he gained the extensive knowledge reflected in his works.
3. His Religious Beliefs: Scholars are divided over Shakespeare’s religious beliefs. Some believe he was a covert Catholic in Protestant England, while others argue that his works suggest more secular or ambiguous religious views.
4. Authorship of Certain Plays: There is confusion over the authorship of some of Shakespeare’s lesser-known plays, such as Timon of Athens and The Two Noble Kinsmen. Some scholars believe he may have collaborated with other playwrights, like Thomas Middleton or John Fletcher, on these works.
5. Lost Plays: There are references to plays attributed to Shakespeare that no longer exist, such as Love’s Labour’s Won. Whether these were lost works or alternate titles for known plays remains a subject of debate.
6. The Chronology of His Works: The exact order in which Shakespeare wrote his plays is not certain. Scholars have attempted to establish a timeline based on historical references, style, and publication dates, but there are still disagreements on the precise dating of many works.
7. His Personal Life: Much of Shakespeare’s personal life is shrouded in mystery. While we know about his marriage to Anne Hathaway and the birth of his children, many details, such as his relationships and day-to-day life, remain unclear.
8. Shakespeare’s Wealth: There is confusion about Shakespeare’s financial standing. Though he became relatively wealthy later in life, it is unclear how much of this wealth came from his writing versus other investments, such as his shares in the Globe Theatre or real estate ventures.
9. His Inspiration for Characters and Plots: There is uncertainty about how much of Shakespeare’s work was original versus adapted from earlier stories, legends, or real-life figures. While many of his plays are based on historical events or existing works, his process of adaptation and invention remains unclear.
10. His Final Years: The details of Shakespeare’s final years in Stratford, after he retired from the London stage, are somewhat unclear. There are few records of his activities, and his death in 1616 was followed by only a brief mention in local records, leading to speculation about his health and personal circumstances leading up to his death.