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Dublin: 10 °C Sunday 19 May, 2013

Oxford scholars uncover Shakespeare’s ‘co-author’

Oxford University academics say the Bard had a little help on All’s Well that Ends Well – one of his best known plays.

Shakespeare's Globe theatre, seen on the south bank of the River Thames in London
Shakespeare's Globe theatre, seen on the south bank of the River Thames in London
Image: Alastair Grant/AP/Press Association Images

A GROUP OF Oxford scholars say they have discovered evidence that another person, apart from William Shakespeare, wrote All’s Well That Ends Well.

The scholars say the playwright and poet Thomas Middleton was the likely co-author, following a detailed analysis of the play’s vocabulary, rhyming, style and grammar, the BBC reports.

Professor Laurie Maguire said that Shakespeare’s reputation means that people are reluctant to believe he did not pen the pieces alone, but that she was “very confident” that the play in question was a product of collaboration.

Instead of imaging a lone writer producing pieces, we ought of image a team of playwrights working together on a project – much a like modern day film studio – said Maguire. “The picture that’s emerging is of much more collaboration,” she said.

Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe and the Earl of Oxford have also been suggested as possible collaborators, the Telegraph reports.

Middleton (1580 – 1627) was the author of several successful plays, including The Changeling and Women Beware Women.

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