The Theory of Shakespeare's Italian origins

 The theory of Shakespeare's Italian origins is a fascinating and unconventional hypothesis that suggests William Shakespeare may not have been an Englishman but of Italian descent or even an Italian himself. This theory challenges the traditional narrative surrounding the identity of the playwright and aims to explain certain elements of Shakespeare's work and life that some scholars find puzzling. Here are the key points of this theory:

1. Shakespeare's Knowledge of Italy

Proponents of this theory argue that Shakespeare's plays, particularly those set in Italy, show an unusually detailed knowledge of Italian culture, geography, and customs. Plays like Romeo and Juliet, The Merchant of Venice, Othello, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona feature settings in Italy, and the playwright demonstrates an understanding of specific locations, including small details about Italian cities that are hard to attribute to someone who had never visited the country.

For example:

• In The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Shakespeare mentions the “Padua way,” referring to a specific road to Milan.
• The Merchant of Venice contains precise references to Venetian legal practices.
• Romeo and Juliet includes specific references to Verona's layout and customs.

This intimate knowledge has led some theorists to propose that Shakespeare either spent time in Italy or was Italian himself.

2. John Florio and Michelangelo Florio

One of the most prominent versions of this theory involves John Florio, a well-known Renaissance scholar of Italian descent, or his father, Michelangelo Florio, an Italian Protestant who fled religious persecution and settled in England. According to this theory, John Florio could have been the true author of Shakespeare's plays or at least significantly influenced them.

• John Florio was an intellectual and linguist who published works on the Italian language and was deeply connected to the Elizabethan literary scene. His fluency in Italian and English and his wide-ranging contacts in the literary world have led some scholars to speculate that he may have contributed to or even authored Shakespeare’s plays, especially those with Italian settings.

• Michelangelo Florio, John's father, was a Protestant preacher from Tuscany who lived in England and Switzerland. Some theorists argue that he could have influenced Shakespeare’s works or could have even been Shakespeare himself.

3. Italian Language and Influence

Shakespeare's use of certain Italian words, phrases, and customs is also cited as evidence for his possible Italian origins or connection. Italian was the lingua franca of the Renaissance, and Shakespeare's works show evidence of Italian influences in terms of plot devices, poetic forms, and Renaissance humanist themes.

For example:

• Shakespeare frequently employed Italianate forms of poetry and drama, such as the sonnet, which originated in Italy.
• He was familiar with Italian novellas, many of which were used as the basis for his plays (Romeo and Juliet was based on an Italian story).

4. Shakespeare’s Mysterious Biography

The gaps in Shakespeare’s biography fuel this theory. There are relatively few records of Shakespeare’s life, especially between the late 1580s and early 1590s, the so-called "lost years." Some proponents suggest that Shakespeare could have traveled to Italy during this period and gained the intimate knowledge that appears in his works.

5. Skeptical Reception and the Shakespeare Authorship Debate

The Italian origins theory is closely related to broader debates about the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. Skeptics of Shakespeare's authorship, known as "anti-Stratfordians," have proposed various alternative candidates, including Edward de Vere, Francis Bacon, and Christopher Marlowe. The Italian origins theory is another variant of this broader skepticism, which questions how a man from a small town in England with a modest education could have produced such a vast and sophisticated body of work.

However, mainstream scholars overwhelmingly reject this theory, pointing out that there is no definitive evidence to support it. They argue that Shakespeare’s knowledge of Italy could have come from books, conversations, or travelogues, which were widely available in England during his time. Additionally, the historical records concerning Shakespeare’s life—though not comprehensive—generally support his English origins.

6. The Conspiracy Theories

Some theorists take the idea further, suggesting that Shakespeare's English identity may have been an intentional cover for an Italian author, possibly due to political or religious reasons. This theory typically draws on the secrecy surrounding certain aspects of Renaissance society, especially for figures who might have been Protestant refugees like the Florio family.

Conclusion

While the theory of Shakespeare's Italian origins is an intriguing proposition that attempts to explain some of the mysteries surrounding his life and works, it remains highly speculative and lacks strong documentary evidence. The vast majority of scholars continue to accept the traditional narrative that William Shakespeare, born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, is the true author of the plays attributed to him. Nevertheless, this theory adds an interesting layer to the ongoing fascination with Shakespeare's life and the origins of his extraordinary literary legacy.