Introduction

Welcome members of the jury as you hear a case that has been debated for more than 200 years. Listen with great care as you hear about the man who claims to have written more than 30 plays and produced over 200 sonnets and poems. Listen further as evidence is supplied for contenders that also lay claim to the authorship debate.

Who really wrote William Shakespeare's plays and sonnets? The obvious answer to this question is the actor from Stratford-upon-Avon who goes by the name of William Shakespeare, or is it Shakespere like it appears on his baptism record and as a signature on his will?

The evidence for the other candidates all seem very persuasive until the next set of evidence is presented which seems to confound the problem. But with all of this information out on the table, conspiracy theorists just might be on to something. Consider the logic/illogic of the arguments put forward by each group as you seek the strongest argument for each candidate. Sit back and sift through the evidence and see which authority offers the most conclusive proof in your estimation. Look carefully at all of the evidence: in this way you will become more informed and able to formulate an opinion for your judge.

The Quest

WHO LAYS THE BEST CLAIM TO THE SHAKESPEAREAN AUTHORSHIP THEORY?

The Process and Resources

In this WebQuest you will be working together with a group of students in class. Each group will answer the Task or Quest(ion). As a member of the group you will explore Webpages from people all over the world who care about the Shakespeare Authorship Problem. Because these are real Webpages we're tapping into, not things made just for schools, the reading level might challenge you. Feel free to use the online Webster dictionary or one in your classroom.

You'll begin with everyone in your group getting some background before dividing into roles where people on your team become experts on one part of the topic. Please remember that each of the sites listed has a bias. Do they make their bias clear or do they attempt to present their opinions as unbiased facts?

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone

Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who? what? where? when? why? and how? Be creative in exploring the information so that you answer these questions as fully and insightfully as you can.

1. What is the Shakespeare authorship problem?

2. What literary, cultural, and political figures doubt that Shakespeare was the sole author of the work?

3. Make a chronological history of the doubts that surround the authorship of the Shakespearean canon.

4. Now do the same for the doubts surrounding the Stratfordian attribution.

5. Consider the logic/illogic of each position and evaluate the effectiveness of each argument.

6. Make a list of the six contenders for the authorship question. Then add to each as much significant evidence that is presented.

 

• Mysteries of History: Shakespeare - An overview of the authorship controversy with links to help introduce the topic.
• A Beginner's Guide to the Shakespeare Authorship Problem - The Shakespeare Oxford Society presents views that introduce the contributing factors related to the two hundred year question of who wrote Shakespeare.
• The Shakespeare Resource Center - A view of the theories that regard the candidates most likely to be considered for authorship of the works attributed to Shakespeare.  Provides information and links about the six most popular contenders to the question.
• The Shakespeare Fellowship - A site that brings the Shakespeare authorship question to a world-wide audience via the Internet.
• Shakespeare Authorship Roundtable - A Web site that provides an overview of the authorship controversy for students to consult to assist them in formulating viewpoints.
• Logical Fallacies - A Web site that provides an overview of logic and logical fallacies. Students must refer to this page and identify specific errors in logic as put forth by supporters of each candidate.

Phase 2 - Looking Deeper from Different Perspectives

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Individuals or pairs from your larger WebQuest team will explore one of the roles below.

2. Read through the files linked to your group. If you print out the files, underline the passages that you feel are the most important. If you look at the files on the computer, copy sections you feel are important by dragging the mouse across the passage and copying / pasting it into a word processor or other writing software.

3. Note: Remember to write down or copy/paste the URL of the file you take the passage from so you can quickly go back to it if you need to to prove your point.

4. Note any logical fallacies involved in your group's argument. Explain how the specific fallacy influences the validity of your contender's claim.

4. Be prepared to focus what you've learned into one main opinion that answers the Big Quest(ion) or Task based on what you have learned from the links for your role.

 

WHO WROTE SHAKESPEARE?

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to WHO WROTE SHAKESPEARE?:

1. Find other candidates not already discovered in the background section and list why they should be considered as contenders.

2. What is the controversy that surrounds Shakespeare's bust and its inscription as it applies to Sir Francis Bacon?

3. What did Mark Twain have to say about the debate issue?

4. Why should the Marlowe spy theory be reviewed?

5. How has technology, most notably the computer, made its presence known in this controversy?

6. What type of logic/illogic is used to support these claims?

 

• The Shakespeare Resource Center - A view of the theories that regard the candidates most likely to be considered for authorship of the works attributed to Shakespeare.
• Logical Fallacies - A Web site that provides an overview of logic and logical fallacies. Students must refer to this page and identify specific errors in logic as put forth by supporters of each candidate.

 

MARLOWE WROTE SHAKESPEARE

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to MARLOWE WROTE SHAKESPEARE:

1. What association to Shakespeare is presented by the Marlowe Society that leads one to believe that Christopher Marlowe's death is associated with Shakespeare's writings?

2. What role did the British government play in Marlowe's death?

3. Was Marlowe really a heretic?

4. What similarities exist between Marlowe's writing and Shakespeare's writing? (consider style and structure)

5. What type of logic/illogic is used to support these claims?

 

• The Marlowe Society - The home page for Christopher Marlowe, whose members believe he was the author of the Shakespeare canon.
• Logical Fallacies - A Web site that provides an overview of logic and logical fallacies. Students must refer to this page and identify specific errors in logic as put forth by supporters of each candidate.

 

DE VERE WROTE SHAKESPEARE

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to DEVERE WROTE SHAKESPEARE:

1. Many authorities have made claims that De Vere more than anyone is most closely related to being the author of the Shakespearean collection. Why?

2. What are some of the coincidental connections between the Earl of Oxford and Shakespeare? Are these connections strong enough to support Oxfordian Claims?

3. What problems exist between the authorship of the Shakespearean poems and plays?
 

 4. What similarities exist between DeVere's writing and Shakespeare's writing? (consider style and structure)

5. What type of logic/illogic is used to support the Oxfordian claims?

 

• The Shakespeare Authorship Sourcebook - Provides direct and comprehensive access to evidence and arguments that Edward De Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, should be related to the Shakespeare authorship controversy.
• Logical Fallacies - A Web site that provides an overview of logic and logical fallacies. Students must refer to this page and identify specific errors in logic as put forth by supporters of each candidate.

 

SHAKESPEARE WROTE SHAKESPEARE

Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to SHAKESPEARE WROTE SHAKESPEARE:

1. How is the spelling and pronunciation of Shakespeare's name important to investigate?

2. What are the Oxfordian claims that Shakespeare is responsible for everything he produced? Can these claims be refuted?

3. Why is it important to preserve the authorship status of William Shakespeare?

4. What is the most convincing evidence that leads us to believe that Shakespeare, did in fact, write Shakespeare?

5. What type of logic/illogic is used to support the claims you investigated?

 

• The Shakespeare Authorship Page - Dedicated to the Proposition that Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare.
• Critical Examination of Oxfordian Claims
• Oxford, the Poet
• Examination of Historical Evidence for Marlowe
• Logical Fallacies - A Web site that provides an overview of logic and logical fallacies. Students must refer to this page and identify specific errors in logic as put forth by supporters of each candidate.

Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus

You have all learned about a different part of Shakespeare Authorship Problem. Now group members come back to the larger WebQuest team with expertise gained by searching from one perspective. You must all now answer the Task / Quest(ion) as a group. Each of you will bring a certain viewpoint to the answer: some of you will agree and others disagree. Use information, pictures,  facts, opinions, etc. from the Webpages you explored to convince your teammates that your viewpoint is important and should be part of your team's answer to the Task / Quest(ion).

Before you answer the final question, however, you may want to consider the most obvious question that most of these arguments do not address. Before following these links, consider what should be one of the most obvious steps to take before making your final decision: in all of the historical research you've read, what haven't many of the writer's considered? Your group must come to me and tell me what needs to be considered before following the links below.

Oxford

Shakespeare   follow me   and follow me

Marlowe    follow me   

Bacon

Now consider the logic/illogic of each opinion, and determine how the logic of each argument should influences your analysis of the quandary. Your WebQuest team should write out an answer that everyone on the team can live with.

 

Phase 4 - Real World Feedback

You and your teammates have completed a thorough investigation by  dividing up into different roles. Now's the time to put your learning into a letter you'll send out for feedback. Together you will write a letter that contains opinions, information, and perspectives that you've gained. Here's the process:

1. Begin your letter with a statement of who you are and why you are writing your message to this particular person or organization.

2. Give background information that shows you understand the topic.

STATE THE TASK / QUEST(ION) AND YOUR GROUP'S ANSWER.

3. Each person in your group should write a paragraph that gives two good reasons supporting the group's opinion. Make sure to be specific in both the information (like where you got it from on the Web) and the reasoning (why the information proves your group's point). Include any faulty reasoning you uncovered as part of the support for your specific opinion.

4. Have each person on the team proofread the message. Use correct letter format and make sure you have correctly addressed the email message. Use the link below to make contact. Send your message and make sure your teacher gets a copy.

5. Post your team's research and notes under your "Project's" page. Include a works cited of the URL's you have used, giving credit to the author of each web site you have used to research your position (http://www.noodletools.com/quickcite/index.html.) You will be posting answers to each group member's individual research and findings, as well as the group letter and group consensus. You may decorate your page with gifs and jpegs, as well as provide links to what you feel are critical PRIMARY DOCUMENTS that you have read during your quest.

5. Email your letter to Mr. Krucli. He in turn will evaluate your work.

 

Your Contact is: Mr. Krucli

Conclusion

As a juror, what or who do you believe now? As you examined this case, there was much evidence produced for each of the candidates. The burden of proof lies with those trying to refute that Shakespeare wrote Shakespeare. Foreman of the jury: what is your verdict?