The Authorship Question: One of the most enduring mysteries surrounding Shakespeare is the authorship of his works. While the vast majority of scholars attribute the plays and sonnets to Shakespeare, a small group of skeptics, known as "anti-Stratfordians," question whether he was the true author. Various alternative candidates have been proposed, but there is no consensus on who these might have been.
Lost Plays: It is believed that Shakespeare wrote around 38 plays, but only 36 have survived. Two plays, "Cardenio" and "Love's Labour's Won," are mentioned in contemporary records, but they have never been found. Scholars have speculated about their content and significance, but their disappearance remains an unsolved mystery.
Hidden Messages and Codes: Throughout Shakespeare's works, some readers have claimed to find hidden messages, codes, and prophecies. These interpretations often involve elaborate numerological patterns or anagrams, but they remain highly controversial and have not been widely accepted by scholars.
The Dark Lady: In Shakespeare's sonnets, there are references to a mysterious "dark lady" who is the object of the speaker's desire and affection. The identity of this woman has been the subject of speculation, with some suggesting she was a real historical figure while others believe she was a literary invention.
Unidentified Characters: In several of Shakespeare's plays, there are characters who appear on stage without being given any name or specific identity. For example, the famous gravediggers in "Hamlet" and the porter in "Macbeth" are simply referred to as "First Gravedigger," "Second Gravedigger," and "Porter." The reasons behind these unnamed characters have puzzled scholars and led to various interpretations.
The Mystery of the Sonnets: The publication history of Shakespeare's sonnets raises some questions. The first 176 sonnets were published in a quarto edition in 1609 without Shakespeare's authorization, and the remaining 28 sonnets appeared in the First Folio in 1623. The reasons for this separation and the order of the sonnets in both editions remain unclear.
Shakespeare's Early Life: There is relatively little known about Shakespeare's life before he began his writing career in London. Details about his education, early influences, and personal experiences during this period are not well documented, leaving gaps in our understanding of his development as a writer.
These are just a few examples of the unknown facts and unsolved secrets surrounding William Shakespeare. While scholars and researchers have made significant progress in understanding his life and work, there remain mysteries and unanswered questions that contribute to the enduring fascination with Shakespeare's legacy.