The authorship of William Shakespeare's plays has been a topic of debate and speculation for centuries. While Shakespeare is widely accepted as the sole author of the plays and sonnets attributed to him, a controversial theory suggests that Christopher Marlowe, another prominent playwright of the time, might have been the true author. This theory is supported by stylometric analysis, which compares the linguistic patterns and statistical signatures of Marlowe's known works with those attributed to Shakespeare. Additionally, historical evidence, although limited, raises intriguing questions about Shakespeare's literary background and the circumstances surrounding Marlowe's supposed death.

The Controversial Theory: Did Christopher Marlowe Write Shakespeare's Works?

Stylometry: A Tool for Identifying Authorship:

Stylometry, a method of analyzing writing styles, was pioneered by American physicist Thomas Mendenhall. By comparing the statistical signatures of known works by different authors, Mendenhall successfully identified anonymous writings and disproved claims of authorship. Interestingly, during his tests, he discovered that Christopher Marlowe's stylometric curve closely resembled that of Shakespeare, leading to further investigation.

Peter Farey's Stylometric Studies:

Building upon Mendenhall's work, Peter Farey conducted stylometric analyses using computers to compare Marlowe and Shakespeare's writings. By employing standardized spelling and focusing on later works by Marlowe, Farey found remarkable similarities between their stylometric signatures. Notably, the stylometric features that differentiated Marlowe from Shakespeare consistently evolved over time, aligning Marlowe's works with Shakespeare's without abrupt changes. These findings challenge the notion of separate authorship and support the theory that Marlowe may have written under the pseudonym Shakespeare.

Historical Evidence: Shedding Light on the Mystery:

While stylometry provides compelling evidence, it is crucial to consider historical context to understand the plausibility of Marlowe's authorship. The historical records pertaining to Shakespeare's life are scarce, which contrasts with the detailed paper trails of other contemporary writers like Marlowe, Kyd, and Lyly. Shakespeare's will reveals no ownership of books, and his questionable literacy skills are evident from his inconsistent signatures. There are also discrepancies between Shakespeare's life and the themes portrayed in his Sonnets, raising doubts about their autobiographical nature.

Marlowe's Background and Suspicious Demise:

Christopher Marlowe, known for his education and fluency in Latin, was a talented playwright and translator. In 1593, during a period of heightened scrutiny of writers, Marlowe's roommate, Kyd, was captured and tortured. Stylometric analysis suggests that Kyd and Marlowe collaborated on an anonymous play, potentially "Edward III," attributed to Shakespeare. Later that year, Marlowe himself faced charges related to blasphemy and counterfeiting. While awaiting trial, Marlowe was unexpectedly killed in a knife fight and buried in a mass grave. The circumstances surrounding his death raise suspicions, particularly due to the involvement of witnesses linked to Marlowe's patron, Walsingham.

The Continuity and Evolution of Style:

Following Marlowe's death, Shakespeare's name appeared on "Venus and Adonis," a poem in the style of Marlowe. Subsequent plays by Shakespeare exhibit thematic and stylistic continuities with Marlowe's works, suggesting a shared authorship. Examples include "The Merchant of Venice," which bears similarities to Marlowe's "The Jew of Malta," and the history plays, which extend the themes of "Edward II." Although the language and themes in Shakespeare's later works become more sophisticated, they maintain a connection to Marlowe's style. The Sonnets, with their contrasting narrative of a disgraced poet, seem incongruous with the life of Shakespeare.