Sweet Swan of Avon: Did a Woman Write Shakespeare?

Genre mystery Author Robin P. Williams Publisher Peachpit Press External Links Official Peachpit Press Website

Did a woman write Shakespeare? Author Robin P. Williams explores the possibilities. For a very long time, people have wondered if William Shakespeare actually wrote the plays that are attributed to him. There is no evidence that William Shakespeare was ever paid for his writing or in some cases even associated with certain plays except as an actor years after the places were created. There is little evidence that Shakespeare ever really wrote any of the plays. So could it be true that someone else wrote these great works?

Robin P. Williams strongly attributes the possibility that a woman wrote Shakespeare. Robin contributes compelling evidence of how little Shakespeare is actually acknowledged in his lifetime. With little evidence about Shakespeare actually writing the books, she then opens up the possibilities. She shares the story about the life of Mary Sidney Herbert, a woman with a passion for writing in a time when women authors were hardly ever even acknowledged. The mystery behind this woman's life is even more interesting than the "DaVinci Code."

Some of the most striking coincidences that Mary Sindney Herbert could have actually written the plays are in the plays themselves. There were several connections between the people in her own family and the people in the plays. For example, at first, the plays attributed to Shakespeare were romantic and comedic. After a spell they became tragedies. Mary's own life took a turn for ill after that brief time and a lot of the plays reflect her own tragedies in her life. It is a striking coincidence.

Simply the way the plays are presented is compelling evidence that a woman possibly wrote them. There are strong female roles in each of the plays. Juliet, the female lead in "Romeo and Juliet," defies her father to marry the man she loves. Beatrice, the female lead from "Much Ado About Nothing," stands up to men, choosing instead to stand true to her cousin. Is it just a coincidence that in nearly every play, the women have such strong roles, defying men or dressing as men to get what they want? The men in the plays are often dimwitted and it takes a woman to teach some lessons. In the time of Shakespeare, such deviances from women only brought scorn and shame, most of this probably was unheard of in their time. Would a male writer bring such a tribute to women to light? Or would a female writer be more sympathetic to women in her stories?

We might never know who really wrote some of the plays awarded to Shakespeare's name, but Robin P. William brings to light some astounding evidence supporting the theory about Mary Sidney Herbert and her connection to the works. Wrapped up in a suspenseful mystery and enriching history, it will be difficult to put this book down.