Oxfordian Theory of Shakespeare Authorship - Chronology of The Plays and Oxford's 1604 Death

Chronology of The Plays and Oxford's 1604 Death

For mainstream critics, the most compelling evidence against Oxford (besides the historical evidence for William Shakespeare) is his death in 1604, since the generally-accepted chronology of Shakespeare's plays places the composition of approximately twelve of the plays after that date.

The exact dates of the composition of Shakespeare's plays are uncertain. However, according to David Bevington, it is a 'virtually unanimous' opinion among teachers and scholars of Shakespeare that the canon of late plays depicts an artistic journey that extends well beyond 1604. Evidence for this includes allusions to historical events and literary sources which postdate 1604, as well as Shakespeare's adaptation of his style to accommodate Jacobean literary tastes and the changing circumstances of the King's Men.

Oxfordians claim that the conventional dates for the plays were developed by mainstream scholars to fit within Shakespeare's lifetime and that no evidence exists that any plays were written after 1604.

Oxfordians also claim that the fact that a number of the later plays (such as Henry VIII, Macbeth, Timon of Athens and Pericles) have been described as incomplete or collaborative is explained by these plays being either drafted earlier than conventionally believed, or simply revised/completed by others after Oxford's death.