Shakespeare or not, let’s find out!
Recently, my classmates from Pegasus ELS and I watched, as a class activity, the historical drama Anonymous, directed by Roland Emmerich. The movie shows a very interesting and controversial topic about one of the most famous writers in history, William Shakespeare. Instead of showing Shakespeare as the real author of the famous plays, the movie suggests that they were actually written by someone else. The idea that one of the best writers in history, known all over the world, might actually not be who we thought was very appealing to me.
I like controversial theories so this story made me very interested in what actually happened and inspired me to write about it.
The story takes place in London during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I. The movie shows a time full of political problems, secrets, and struggles for power. Edward de Vere is shown as a talented writer and nobleman who secretly loves writing from a very young age. However, because of his high social standing, he cannot present himself as a playwright. Writing plays was not considered respectable for a nobleman at that time. Because of this, his works have Shakespeare’s name.
What made the movie very interesting for me was the mystery and the chance that everything is not how it seems. I was always thinking about what was true and what was not. The movie makes us question history and the information we were taught in school. Before that I had never thought that someone else could have written Shakespeare’s plays. It made me curious to learn more about history and literature.
The movie also shows Shakespeare in a very different way. Instead of being a genius writer, he is presented as an actor who takes credit for someone else’s work and is illiterate. This version of Shakespeare is more selfish and less educated than the one we know and imagine. At first, I felt confused and a little upset because it changes the image of such an important historical figure. However, I also understood that the film is meant to present a theory, not proven facts.
In conclusion, Anonymous is a very provoking movie for me. It mixes history, drama, and mystery in a fantastic way. Even though the theory about the real author of the plays is not proved, the movie encouraged me to think critically and ask questions. I enjoyed watching it because it was different from typical historical films and it made me more interested in literature and the life of Shakespeare. It made me question what’s real and what’s not.
