DigeeBooks

A thrillingly provocative investigation into the Shakespeare authorship question, exploring how doubting that William Shakespeare wrote his plays became an act of blasphemy…and who the Bard might really be.The theory that Shakespeare may not have written the works that bear his name is the most horrible, vexed, unspeakable subject in the history of English literature. Scholars admit that the Bards biography is a “black hole,” yet to publicly question the identity of the god of English literature is unacceptable, even (some say) “immoral.” In Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies, journalist and literary critic Elizabeth Winkler sets out to probe the origins of this literary taboo. Whisking readers from London to Stratford-upon-Avon to Washington, DC, she pulls back the curtain to show how the forces of nationalism and empire, religion and mythmaking, gender and class have shaped our admiration for Shakespeare across the centuries. As she considers the writers and thinkers—from Walt Whitman to Sigmund Freud to Supreme Court justices—who have grappled with the riddle of the plays origins, she explores who may perhaps have been hiding behind his name. A forgotten woman? A disgraced aristocrat? A government spy? Hovering over the mystery are Shakespeares plays themselves, with their love for mistaken identities, disguises, and things never quite being what they seem. As she interviews scholars and skeptics, Winklers interest turns to the larger problem of historical truth—and of how human imperfections (bias, blindness, subjectivity) shape our construction of the past. History is a story, and the story we find may depend on the story were looking for. An irresistible work of literary detection, Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies will forever change how you think of Shakespeare… and of how we as a society decide whats up for debate and whats just nonsense, just heresy.

In her thought-provoking and engaging book, "Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies: How Doubting the Bard Became the Biggest Taboo in Literature," Elizabeth Winkler delves into the fascinating world of Shakespearean authorship studies, challenging the long-held assumption that William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon was the sole author of the works attributed to him.

Winkler presents a compelling case for the existence of an alternative authorship theory, known as the Shakespearean authorship question, which posits that someone other than Shakespeare wrote the plays and poems traditionally attributed to him. She argues that the evidence supporting this theory is substantial and has been largely ignored or dismissed by mainstream academia due to the taboo surrounding the questioning of Shakespeare's authorship.

Winkler's book explores various candidates who have been proposed as possible authors of Shakespeare's works, including prominent figures such as Christopher Marlowe, Francis Bacon, and Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. She examines the strengths and weaknesses of each candidate, highlighting the intriguing coincidences and connections that have led scholars to consider them as potential alternatives to Shakespeare.

Winkler also addresses the resistance and hostility that the Shakespearean authorship question often encounters within the literary establishment. She argues that the taboo against doubting Shakespeare's authorship has stifled scholarly inquiry and prevented a more open and comprehensive examination of the evidence. She calls for a more nuanced and inclusive approach to Shakespeare studies, one that embraces alternative perspectives and encourages a broader understanding of the authorship debate.

"Shakespeare Was a Woman and Other Heresies" is a must-read for anyone interested in Shakespeare, literature, and the history of ideas. Winkler's book challenges conventional wisdom, invites critical thinking, and opens up new avenues for exploration in the study of Shakespeare's works. It is a thought-provoking and informative read that is sure to spark discussion and debate among readers.