Publisher's Synopsis
The works of William Shakespeare hold many treasures for those who read them. From the laughter we experience during his comedies to the tears invoked by his tragedies, his plays inspire emotional responses in us, and, as a result, we are entertained and enlightened.
But, for some readers, Shakespeare's works hold another kind of treasure. Throughout the ages, many historians and theorists have argued that there are hidden messages concealed within the great bard's writings, some of which raise questions of authenticity and authorship-if not of something far more subversive.
These arguments, however, have failed the test of time and proven more speculative than substantial. But now, Patrick Jennings presents a fresh new argument-and, though he does not hold it out as conclusive, he offers it as a point of reference to bring us closer to the final answers.
The Key to Hidden Messages in Shakespeare's Works identifies the various encipherment methods used to conceal messages in Shakespeare's First Folio and provides proofs of how these methods were, and can be, applied to extrapolate hidden messages and their meaning. Easy to read, and sure to spark controversy, it will appeal to both novice Shakespeare students and established scholars alike.
