“The 1604 Question” and more - Shelly Maycock

The argument goes on that Edward de Vere could not have written the works he did because he died in 1604 and numerous Shakespeare works appeared after that date. Indeed, it is one of the attacks made on Elizabeth Winkler’s book in which she explores the arguments on this issue made by scholar Roger Stritmatter. And thereafter there were no more revised play manuscripts and no more new works. But many works written before 1604 were released and played which is to say that Stratfordian play datings have long been disputed. This talk explores this and other issues related to the 1604 issue.
Shelly Maycock is an instructor in the Department of English at Virginia Tech. She has an MA in Creative Writing from Hollins University and a second MA in English Literature from Virginia Tech. Her principal areas of research are in English Composition and Rhetoric, English and American Literature, Business Writing and Shakespeare. She has spoken at several SOF conferences.
Learn more at shakespeareoxf....

[@duncanmckeown1292]

Leaving aside the question of whether de Vere DID actually die in 1604 (not going to die on that hill!) This issue was the main stumbling block to me becoming an Oxfordian until I had alternative explanations for the 1605 "Gunpowder Plot" Macbeth and the 1611 "Bermudan shipwreck" Tempest. I now am educated (due to Prof. Stritmatter among others) about the probable earlier influences for both plays and...Hey presto! I have become a fervent Oxfordian.

[@varkony60]

You may believe Stritmatter of course, if you will. But Oxford didn't die in 1604. He lived up to 1621 - the preparations of the First Folio began after his death. Which would have been quite logical. And placed the references to the Gunpowder Plot in Macbeth and in the Sonnet Quarto 1609 on purpose.

[@martinlivesley1069]

I’d love to know if De Vera had any connection to the gunpowder plot..or was he in total exile at that point

[@varkony60]

@@martinlivesley1069 (De Vere). Which one do you mean? The 17th Earl of Oxford (Edward de Vere ) was in exile on the Island of Prospero. His son Henry de Vere (the Fair Youth), was not in exile, he lived his comfortable noble life, everything forgiven..

[@RichardWaugaman]

Yes, you have to hand it to the Stratfordian Department of False Propaganda. Many people stop pursuing the topic based on the stumbling block you mention.

[@varkony60]

@@RichardWaugaman The situation is worse, alas. It IS a stumbling block. Oxford himself placed references to the Gunpowder Plot in Macbeth, and even in three sonnets, to hide the fact of his exile. "I pray you, remember the porter." With a set of clues I can show the entire story. It's marvellous, what Oxford and those (especially Ben Jonson) helping him did, to hide the twofold truth: his name and his exile. P.S. Emeritus Professor Andrew Gurr expressed his wish to see my entire (SAQ) production -among others solving the Oxfordian secret of the Hathaway-sonnet-, so I've crossed the frontline, not without any success.

[@alainaaugust1932]

17:00 What I hear you say “staged at court,” I think “You mean put on for Elizabeth,” primarily for her entertainment and delight. All the put-ons and ridicules of foreign enemies or opponents or even of her pet peeves would have been instantly understood by the attending courtiers. Their howls of laughter would show they were all having a jolly good time. Cheap good times and good will for the 1000£ a year she was paying Oxford. It worked. They stuck with her till she died.

[@tomgoff6867]

Contra David Bevington, Oxford-Shakespeare dropped one or two hints that he was prone to keeping his writing under lock and key.

[@postoak2755]

Thank you for this very interesting lecture. Putting Shakespeare into a more realistic and thoughtful timeframe helps me to remember that this terrible time of adversity in the United States will pass ultimately.

[@claudiaxander]

Thanks so much, fascinating. Cheers!

[@CharFred-vr1ti]

It's easy to explain. Oxford started the GROUP project and Bacon finished it.

[@tvfun32]

Imagination was given to man to compensate him for what he is not; a sense of humor to console him for what he is.-Francis Bacon

[@shellymaycock6676]

@@tvfun32 Real proof?

[@keybawd4023]

If well travelled De Vere had written the plays, he would not have made the gross geographical errors that are found in so many plays. Neither would he have mistakenly written the name of the actor who played a role instead of the name of the character being played. De Vere woud not have known the names of minor actors in Shakespeare's Company.

[@vetstadiumastroturf5756]

There was not a "Shakespeare's Company." What makes a geographical error "gross", and why would De Vere only make plays that were geographically correct? If De Vere was writing for an acting company, then he would probably have known all the actors names.

[@shellymaycock6676]

These allusions have been explained, and this claim refuted in detail.