Shakespeare,Anonymous and the Oxford Theory
(11/03/11 8:00am)
Upcoming Columbia Pictures release Anonymous, directed by Roland Emmerich and written by John Orloff, takes as its premise the Oxford Theory of Shakespearean authorship. First proposed by J. Thomas Looney in 1920, the fringe theory holds that masterworks attributed to Shakespeare were in fact written by Edward de Vere, 17th Earl of Oxford. In anticipation of the film’s release, Recess solicited two Shakespearean professors in the Duke English department, George Gopen and Joseph A. Porter, to give their takes on Anonymous and the validity of the Oxford Theory.