John Benson (publisher) - Use By Oxfordians

Use By Oxfordians

Proponents of Oxfordian theory consider it significant that the dedicatory poem by Ben Jonson was printed with question marks instead of exclamation marks, in particular the line "This shadow is renowned Shakespear's?" This is taken to imply a doubt that Shakespeare was the true author, or possibly an intentional hint to the reader. Orthodox scholars assert that question marks were commonly used interchangeably with exclamation marks at this time.