Publisher's Synopsis
This long overdue investigation carefully questions the authorship of many of 'Shakespeare's' Sonnets. The Sonnets have to be seen as a collection of individual true-life accounts by different male and female writers to be properly understood. This is the key to the integrity of these literary masterpieces. When read in this light: a clear picture soon emerges. The simple logic of these findings certainly demands further academic and non-academic attention. Some of the more satirical sonnets were indeed by Shakespeare but most were probably by 'Rival Poet' members of the aristocratic Sidney family. Many were private and confidential and patently never approved for publication. This is an extremely important point. Sonnets are not about theatre they are about real life. Several sonnets show clearly feminine style and content. The natural beauty of those by the unmistakable Mary Sidney/Herbert, Lady Pembroke; Nos.1-17, at least, shines out from the best of them. Further sonnets by her son William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke and her niece Mary Sidney/Wroth are of considerable historical and romantic interest. The evidence is overwhelming. However, we must seriously challenge the overbearing weight of centuries of sexism, false premises and half-truths surrounding the Sonnets. Prevailing pseudo-homosexual 'Fair Youth' myths, for example, are deemed dubious, distracting and unconvincing. Shakespeare was evidently not comfortable with the sonnet format but the glory, authorship and integrity of his Plays remains unsurpassed. When reading the Sonnets we find further real-life male/female stories of adolescent infatuation, ambition, and scandal in the shadow of the early 17th C. Royal Court. Just read the Sonnets in this book and then judge for yourself!
