The Most Popular anti-Stratfordian Candidate Today, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the candidate you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 26, 2024 07:17
In the realm of literary debates, few topics spark as much intrigue and controversy as the authorship of Shakespeare's works. Delving into this discussion invites us to question historical narratives and consider a range of fascinating theories put forth by anti-Stratfordians, who challenge the traditional view of William Shakespeare's authorship.
By evaluating and voting for the most compelling anti-Stratfordian candidates, you contribute to a dynamic investigation of literary history. This process not only sheds light on various intriguing figures but also enriches our understanding of Elizabethan literature and the era's cultural complexities. Your participation helps in sculpting a lively scholarly arena where every opinion is valued and every theory is scrutinized.
Who Is the Most Popular anti-Stratfordian Candidate Today?
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157votes
Unidentified painter · Public domainEdward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford - de Vere is considered by many to be the leading candidate for the true authorship of Shakespeare's works. Advocates point to similarities between de Vere's life and the themes and characters in the plays, as well as his known writing ability. -
28votes
Reginald Gray · CC BY-SA 3.0Bacon, a renowned philosopher and statesman, is often cited as a possible author of Shakespeare's works. Supporters argue that his writing style and use of language are similar to those of the plays, and that he had the necessary knowledge and experience to write about the subjects and settings depicted in the works.Francis Bacon in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most famous artist in Ireland
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321votesMarlowe, a contemporary of Shakespeare's, is sometimes suggested as the true author of the plays. Advocates point to similarities in language and themes between his known works and the plays, as well as evidence that he may have faked his own death and continued writing under a pseudonym.Christopher Marlowe in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous English playwright
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426votes
Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger (c.1561-1636) · Public domainDerby is sometimes considered a possible author of Shakespeare's works based on his known interest in the theater and his connections to other writers of the time. Some scholars have also noted similarities between his known works and the plays. -
514votes
Nicholas Hilliard · Public domainSidney, a prominent writer and patron of the arts in the Elizabethan era, is sometimes suggested as the true author of Shakespeare's works. Advocates point to similarities between her known works and the plays, as well as evidence that she may have had access to the necessary resources and information to write the plays. -
617votes
Jeremiah van der Eyden · Public domainRutland is sometimes considered a possible author of Shakespeare's works based on his known interest in theater and his connections to other writers of the time. Some scholars have also noted similarities between his known works and the plays. -
78votes
The original uploader was Dx.feelgood at Italian Wikipedia. · Public domainFlorio, an Italian scholar and lexicographer who lived in England during the Elizabethan era, is sometimes suggested as a possible author of Shakespeare's works. Advocates point to similarities in language and style between his known works and the plays, as well as evidence that he was familiar with the subjects and settings depicted in the works. -
86votes
Nicholas Hilliard · Public domainBassano, a musician and writer who lived in England during the Elizabethan era, is sometimes suggested as the true author of Shakespeare's works. Advocates point to similarities between her known works and the plays, as well as evidence that she may have had access to the necessary resources and knowledge to write the plays. -
95votesSome anti-Stratfordians believe that William Shakespeare of Stratford was not the true author of the plays attributed to him. They argue that there is little evidence to suggest that he had the necessary education, knowledge, or experience to write the works, and that there are inconsistencies and mysteries surrounding his life and career.
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102votesSome anti-Stratfordians believe that the true author of Shakespeare's works may have deliberately concealed their identity or used a pseudonym. This theory is based on the idea that the plays contain hidden messages or secret codes that can only be deciphered by understanding the true identity of the author.
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Ranking factors for popular candidate
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Academic ReputationThe candidate's standing in the academic community and their credentials in relevant fields such as literature, history, and theater.
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Historical and Biographical EvidenceThe strength of the candidate's historical and biographical arguments against the traditional attribution of William Shakespeare as the author of the works. This may include alternative authorship theories and the analysis of historical documents.
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Literary AnalysisThe candidate's ability to provide a compelling analysis of the works attributed to Shakespeare, including style, themes, language, and symbolism.
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Support from PeersThe level of support and recognition the candidate receives from other experts and scholars within the field.
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Public Awareness and ImpactThe candidate's visibility and influence within the general public, including the popularity of their books, documentaries, lectures, and other contributions to the discourse on Shakespearean authorship.
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Coherence and ConsistencyThe internal consistency of the candidate's arguments, their ability to build a coherent case against the traditional authorship, and address counterarguments effectively.
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Alternative CandidatesThe candidate's proposed alternative author(s) and the strength of the evidence supporting their claim. This could involve analyzing the life and works of the proposed candidates and the circumstances that make them a plausible choice.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular anti-Stratfordian candidate today. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or candidate is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1390 views
- 163 votes
- 10 ranked items
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A participant may cast an up or down vote for each candidate once every 24 hours. The rank of each candidate is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular anti-stratfordian candidate today
Background Information: The Debate Over Shakespeare's Authorship
For over two centuries, scholars and enthusiasts alike have debated the true authorship of William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets. While the majority of academics and literary experts attribute these works to the famous playwright from Stratford-upon-Avon, there exists a small but persistent group known as the "anti-Stratfordians" who challenge this view.
Anti-Stratfordians argue that there is insufficient historical evidence linking William Shakespeare of Stratford to the works attributed to him. They point to the lack of personal letters, manuscripts, or other documents that would confirm his authorship, as well as discrepancies in his education and social status that seem at odds with the sophistication of the plays.
Instead, anti-Stratfordians propose various alternative candidates, ranging from other playwrights and poets of the time to members of the aristocracy or even the Queen herself. These candidates are often chosen based on their similar writing styles or personal connections to the themes and characters in the plays.
Today, the most popular anti-Stratfordian candidates include Christopher Marlowe, Edward de Vere (the Earl of Oxford), and Francis Bacon. While there is little concrete evidence to support any of these claims, the debate over Shakespeare's authorship continues to intrigue and captivate scholars and Shakespeare lovers alike.
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