Cambridge, England — Professor Reginald Worthington-Featherstone III, a renowned English Shakespeare scholar at Cambridge University, recently published a research paper suggesting that William Shakespeare, also known as the Bard of Avon, may have been responsible for the murder of a theatre critic while he was enraged. Shakespeare’s play “Macbeth” received a scathing review from one of the most prominent critics of the Elizabethan era, Godfrey Pembrokeshire.
The innovative work done by Professor Worthington-Featherstone centers on a sonnet written by Shakespeare that had never been discovered before Sonnet 155, which appears to detail the murder. Shakespeare’s confession to the crime may be hidden within the professor’s rewritten sonnet, as it contains gruesome imagery and references to murder. The lines “and trouble deaf heaven with my bloodstained hands” and “Like a raven at the edge of night descending / To shadowed earth, screeches woes at hell’s gate” appear to make a reference to the murderous act and the protagonist’s guilt.
According to the professor’s exhaustively detailed theory, the murder took place backstage at the Globe Theatre after a performance of “Macbeth.” Shakespeare was infuriated by the critic’s harsh words, and he recognized an opportunity to get his revenge. He had observed that Pembrokeshire had a pattern of loitering backstage and engaging in conversation with members of the cast and crew.
Here’s an excerpt from Pembrokeshire’s review that led to his murder:
Original Elizabethan English: “Upon the stage of the illustrious Globe, I have witnessed a play most heinous, a tragedy that doth bear the title of ‘Macbeth.’ Master Shakespeare hath penned a tale so dismal, it pales in comparison to his other works. Yet, more egregious than the plot, our playwright’s wit seems as lacking as his manhood. Verily, the absence of his quill’s potency is only matched by the meagerness of his codpiece. Methinks, perchance, ’tis time for the Bard to retire, lest he bring further dishonour upon the stage and his own name.”
Translated Modern English: “At the famous Globe Theatre, I have seen a truly terrible play, a tragedy called ‘Macbeth.’ Shakespeare has written a story so dismal that it is overshadowed by his other works. Yet, more appalling than the plot, our playwright’s wit seems as deficient as his manhood. Indeed, the lack of his pen’s prowess is only matched by the smallness of his codpiece. Perhaps it’s time for the Bard to retire, before he brings more disgrace to the stage and his own reputation.”
On that fateful night, Shakespeare remained hidden in the shadows while clutching a stage prop dagger. The playwright saw an opportunity to seize the moment as Pembrokeshire drew closer and made his move. He ensured the unwitting critic’s death would be quick and bloody by stabbing him multiple times with the knife. After the heinous act, Shakespeare hid the body behind a pile of costumes, where it remained for several days without being found out by anyone.
Shakespeare’s guilt and anguish over the murder were supposedly immortalized in Sonnet 155, which was kept hidden from public view to protect the playwright’s legacy. According to the research conducted by the professor. The Worthington-Featherstone paper has caused quite a stir in the academic world, with many researchers calling into question the veracity of the author’s assertions.
Despite the controversy that has surrounded the paper, Professor Reginald Worthington-Featherstone III continues to stand by his convictions. He asserts that the tormented psyche of Shakespeare is exposed in the sonnet, as well as evidence of the lengths to which he would go to protect his reputation.
The academic community is continuing to argue about Shakespeare’s dark secret as well as Sonnet 155, even though some detractors argue that the professor’s claims are nothing more than conjecture. The passage of time is the only factor that can determine whether or not this startling discovery will completely rewrite history or merely turn into another Shakespearean mystery.
Here is the complete text of Sonnet 155:
When in disgrace with malice and men's crimes, I all alone bemoan my murderous deeds, And trouble deaf heaven with my bloodstained hands, And look upon myself, and curse my fate, Wishing me like to one more pure in heart, Innocent like him, like him with friends untouched, Desiring this man's peace, and that man's grace, With what I most despise contented least; Yet in these thoughts my guilt-ridden soul writhing, Haply I think on thee, and then my state, Like to the raven at the edge of night descending To shadowed earth, screeches woes at hell's gate; For thy dark love remembered such dread brings That then I scorn to change my state with kings.
