# A Discussion About Whether Shakespeare is Shakespeare without Dismissiveness **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 27, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-discussion-about-whether-shakespeare-is-shakespeare-without-dismissiveness/667319 "2013-08-27T17:26:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 8
**Author:** ![septimus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/septimus/32/410_2.png) [@septimus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/septimus)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-discussion-about-whether-shakespeare-is-shakespeare-without-dismissiveness/667319/8 "2013-08-27T18:54:03Z")
> [@bup](#): > > \*\*septimus \*\*(I think) referred to that thread when saying pro-Stratfordians were dismissive. No, I referred to [this thread](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=560215). It started with a long group of Sonnets which are difficult to understand if written by Stratford; I wanted help understanding them. But instead I got zero (0) responses related to the Sonnets’ contents. Here are some excerpts from that thread: > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/29): > > Is it just me or does anyone else find the tossing around of words like “Oxfordian” and “Stratfordian” to be extremely precious? > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/3): > > So, from the beginning, you admit you haven’t actually researched the question. Not a good place to start. > > How do you know they’re personal? How much study have you put into Shakespeare’s life? Oh, wait, you admitted you haven’t. > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/5): > > This almost smells like homework help. > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/6): > > Along the same lines, I have my doubts that Johnny Cash wrote **Folsom Prison Blues**. > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/28): > > [This is what I get for posting late at night.] _I deny the bizarrity._ [of the Sonnets] > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/23): > > Sonnets were _supposed_ to be cryptic, obscure, playful, ambiguous, surprising and, yes, bizarre. > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/37): > > How about this: you explain what you find bizarre about the sonnets and what you think it means. I think you’ll find I agree with **APB**. > What did he do on the day Edward de Vere died, and why does it matter? Marley isn’t sure whether the Sonnets, if written by Stratford, are bizarre in content or not; but he is sure that whatever septimus believes must be wrong. I posted (#38 in that thread) an account of King James’ actions the day Oxford died, mentioned that it had to be considered an interesting mystery despite the lack of any proven connection to the authorship; the _only_ response that post got was to repeat the obvious – that I hadn’t proven any connection to the authorship. :smack: At about that time I gave up on the thread. If I see evidence that this thread will be better spirited and objective, I may participate. Yes, this thread needs a summary of an Oxfordian theory. There are plenty such on the Internet. I’d hope that those debating here would know the basics of a hoax theory. I think I eventually, despite being discouraged, made some effort to synopsize an Oxfordian case in the other thread, but was only ridiculed, rebuked and ignored. In the unlikely event this thread appears like it will be more respectful, I’ll make another effort. One hope I had in the earlier thread was to fight my own ignorance, so I could judge Oxfordian claims. For example I posed these questions: > [@Did Shaksper write the Sonnets? \[edited title\]](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/did-shaksper-write-the-sonnets-edited-title/536631/41): > > [ul][li] Are John Hall’s collected letters (or a summary) available on-line?[/li][li] Is there a paper detailing astronomical references in Shakespeare’s works?[/li][li] What are the ten earliest mentions of one or more of Shakespeare’s plays? (It’s easy to find the first one or two mentions, but what about 3rd or 4th?)[/li][/ul] None of my questions were ever answered. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/a-discussion-about-whether-shakespeare-is-shakespeare-without-dismissiveness/667319)._