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It is the "personal parallels" I'm concerned with in my challenge, Feste. Oxfordians find many more of them between their man's life and the Shakespearean plays than Marlowe scholars find between their man's life and his plays. Why?



Why do we find them? As Mallory said, "because (they are) there." Do you think we just invented something as specific as "I am that I am"? As the Gad's Hill prank from Oxford's youth? As the "All's Well" parallels: arrogant royal ward aristocrat to wed the commoner's daughter with whom he was raised, flees to the continent vowing not to consummate the marriage nor to give her a child, whereupon a bed trick is practiced upon him that results in a child he must acknowledge amid eventual reconciliation with his wife - do you really think any sane person (to use your favorite construction) could observe these highly specific parallels to Oxford's life and not at least grant that coincidence becomes the least likely explanation?

By the way, Bob, have you ever ventured an opinion as to an explanation for the "All's Well" parallels? Even some Stratfordians have opined that Will may have been "inspired by" the life of Oxford (never mind that the events referenced took place a decade before Will even arrived in London).

As KC observed, Oxford could afford to be more autobiographical in his plays because he had no need to write for money. The versions of the plays put into the Folio are in many cases far too lengthy to have served as playable stage versions. And yet we are constantly told by the orthodox that WS wrote for money, with an eye on the box office.

Perhaps this is why "All's Well" was apparently not performed even once during the Elizabethan/Jacobean era, and would have to wait until 1741 to receive its first staging.

As to your other objections, they have been well answered by others - points you are, as usual, ignoring. Leaving me to wonder how long it will be before you are suddenly called away by the demands on your schedule, with a handful of telling ripostes left unanswered.

Feste