William Shakespeare is one of the most celebrated poets and playwrights in history. His works have had a lasting impact on literature, theater, and language. However, there has been ongoing debate about his true identity and whether “William Shakespeare” was his real name. This article explores Shakespeare’s real name, variations in its spelling, historical records, and the theories surrounding his true identity.
Shakespeare’s Name in Historical Records
William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564. He was the son of John Shakespeare, a glove maker and a prominent town figure, and Mary Arden, who came from a respected family. Historical documents, including baptismal and legal records, provide insight into his name. The baptismal record from the Holy Trinity Church in Stratford states that a “Gulielmus Shakspere” was baptized on April 26, 1564. In Latin, “Gulielmus” translates to “William” in English.
Throughout his life, Shakespeare’s name appeared in different spellings. Some of these variations include:
- Willm Shakspere (in signatures and legal documents)
- William Shakspere
- Willelm Shakspeyr
- Shaxberd (found in some records)
These variations were common in Elizabethan England, as spelling was not standardized. Many people spelled their names differently across various documents, and clerks often wrote names phonetically.
Why the Spelling Variations?
The English language during the 16th and 17th centuries had no fixed spelling conventions. Even printed works contained variations in word spelling. Shakespeare himself may not have had a consistent way of writing his own name, as evidenced by the different spellings found in his signatures. Some scholars argue that these inconsistencies indicate that Shakespeare may not have been a highly literate writer, but this theory is widely disputed.
Another possible explanation for the variations is that different scribes, printers, and officials wrote his name according to their own spelling preferences. Since Shakespeare’s works were published by different publishers, his name was spelled in ways that reflected the phonetic pronunciation of the time.
Was William Shakespeare a Pen Name?
Some theorists suggest that “William Shakespeare” might have been a pseudonym. This theory is part of the broader Shakespeare authorship question, which proposes that someone else wrote the plays and poems attributed to Shakespeare.
Some of the leading candidates put forth as the “true” authors include:
Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford – Supporters of the Oxfordian theory believe that Edward de Vere, a nobleman and court poet, wrote the plays. They argue that Shakespeare, a commoner from Stratford, would not have had the education or experiences to write such sophisticated works.
Francis Bacon – Some scholars claim that Francis Bacon, a philosopher and statesman, had the intellectual capacity and knowledge to write Shakespeare’s works.
Christopher Marlowe – This theory suggests that Marlowe, a contemporary playwright, faked his death and continued writing under the name “Shakespeare.”
Group Theory – Another hypothesis suggests that Shakespeare’s works were written by a group of writers rather than one individual.
Evidence Supporting Shakespeare’s Identity
Despite the controversies, most scholars agree that William Shakespeare of Stratford-upon-Avon was the true author of the works attributed to him. Several pieces of evidence support this conclusion:
Official Documents – Legal records, such as Shakespeare’s will, bear his name and confirm his existence as a playwright and businessman.
References by Contemporaries – Writers and poets of Shakespeare’s time, including Ben Jonson, referred to him as a playwright. The First Folio (1623), published by his colleagues, credited him as the author.
The Monument in Stratford – The Shakespeare monument in Holy Trinity Church, erected shortly after his death, honors him as a writer and poet.
Conclusion
William Shakespeare’s real name, as recorded in historical documents, was indeed “William Shakespeare,” though various spellings exist. The different forms of his name do not indicate a different identity but rather reflect the flexible spelling conventions of the time. While some theories suggest that Shakespeare was a pen name for another writer, there is substantial evidence supporting his authorship. His works continue to be celebrated worldwide, and his name—whatever its spelling—remains one of the most recognized in literary history.
