Shakespeare Cipher Stories Part 1
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Shakespeare Cipher Stories: Part 1
Title:
Shakespeare Cipher Stories, Part 1Summary:
Did Shakespeare truly write the works attributed to him? Many doubt it, questioning whether a modestly educated actor from Stratford-on-Avon could depict the intricacies of classical references or the grandeur of court life. Adding to the mystery, no original manuscripts have surfaced, and only six signatures exist, each appearing as if penned by someone unaccustomed to writing. Could others have helped guide his hand?Keywords:
Shakespeare, Francis Bacon, playsArticle Body:
The debate over whether William Shakespeare authored his famous plays and poems has intrigued scholars for centuries. Skeptics argue that a man of humble origins and limited formal education couldn't have produced such works rich with classical knowledge and insights into aristocratic life. Furthermore, none of Shakespeare's original manuscripts have been found, and only six signatures, all varied and seemingly awkward, have been identified, suggesting an unfamiliarity with writing.If Shakespeare wasn’t the true author, who might have been? Some suggest that clues to the real author could be hidden within the works themselves. This theory has led to speculation about several bright Elizabethans?"figures like Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford; Roger Manners, Earl of Rutland; William Stanley, Earl of Derby; and Sir Francis Bacon?"as potential authors.
Over the centuries, enthusiasts have sought hidden messages within Shakespeare's texts to prove such theories. They’ve unearthed potential anagrams, acrostics, and various ciphers. But are any of these ciphers legitimate?
For those interested in exploring the ciphers allegedly found in Shakespeare’s works, "The Shakespearean Ciphers Examined" by William and Elizebeth Friedman is a must-read. Although published in 1957 and now out of print, it remains accessible in libraries and online. William Friedman, a noted cryptologist renowned for his work decoding the Enigma ciphers in World War II, thoroughly investigated these claims.
The Friedmans dissected numerous alleged ciphers in Shakespeare’s works, applying rigorous cryptographic standards. Their findings debunked most claims, including the famous work by Ignatius Donnelly. In the late 1880s, Donnelly proposed an intricate mathematical system, claiming to derive messages like "More low [Marlowe] or Shakst spur [Shakespeare] never writ a word of them." However, when others attempted to replicate his work, results varied wildly, showcasing the system’s subjective nature.
A significant portion of the Friedmans’ book examines a bi-literal cipher supposedly discovered by Mrs. Elizabeth Gallup Wells, who believed Sir Francis Bacon to be the true author of Shakespeare's works. The Friedmans, who worked with Mrs. Gallup from 1915 to 1920, found inconsistencies in her methods. Although she claimed to uncover messages confirming Bacon’s authorship, no one else could replicate her results, not even her own team. An FBI expert later confirmed the variations in the First Folio’s fonts did not support her claims.
The Friedmans concluded that while Bacon's bi-literal cipher is a legitimate tool, Gallup’s interpretations were flawed. This doesn’t completely rule out the existence of hidden messages, but suggests that if they exist, they remain undiscovered.
References:
- Bacon, Francis, "De Augmentis Scientiarum" (1623)- Donnelly, Ignatius, "The Great Cryptogram" (1888)
- Friedman, William F. and Elizebeth S., "The Shakespearean Ciphers Examined" (Cambridge University Press, 1957)
- Wells Gallup, Elizabeth, "The Biliteral Cypher of Sir Francis Bacon Discovered in His Works and Deciphered by Mrs. Elizabeth Wells Gallup" (1899)
- See William Stevenson, "A Man Called Intrepid."
By examining the evidence, we continue to explore one of literature's most enduring mysteries.
You can find the original non-AI version of this article here: Shakespeare Cipher Stories Part 1.
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