leylandandgoding

The dedications to the Earl of Southampton prefacing Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece bear the printed name William Shakespeare. An association with such a high-ranking nobleman seems an almost incontrovertible argument in the case for William Shakespeare of Stratford.

(see also A motto in Venus & Adonis on this site)

Indeed, orthodox biographers have taken these dedications alone as rock-solid proof that Southampton became Shakespeare’s patron at this point. This theory endures because Southampton made no objection to the dedications, and because he was a famously generous patron of the arts. However, there is absolutely no other evidence supporting any such patronage arrangement. Nor, among Southampton’s detailed financial records, is there any entry of any payment to Shakespeare. Indeed, no record exists that Southampton knew, or even mentioned Shakespeare. In contrast, Southampton’s closest friend (and later, fellow conspirator in the Essex rebellion) was Sir Henry Neville. Following their release from the Tower, Southampton and Neville were compared with Damon and Pythias, the famous best friends of Greek mythology. 

[In 1613, Henry Howard, the Earl of Northampton wrote to Rochester referring to Neville as Southampton’s “Dear Damon" (James & Rubinstein, 2005, 246)]

These two dedications are often referred to as having been signed "William Shakespeare". This is a little misleading. Of course, early modern printing did not extend to photographic reproduction. The attributions are not individually signed, they are printed using typeface. Moreover, the spelling Shakespeare on these dedicatory letters sets the standard for the published name thereafter. The erotic and comic Venus and Adonis was spectacularly successful with ten published editions by 1602, the last seven in the small octavo format. This format allowed it to be carried discreetly. This facilitated its popularity, sharing and imitation, and the firm establishment of the name William Shakespeare as a poet.

Arguing against the truth of the attribution is that the spelling of the printed name, ostensibly a personal correspondence, is different from any of the six surviving long-hand signatures of the actor William Shakespeare (usually some variant on Shaksper).

The Dedication to Venus and Adonis

T O   T H E   R I G H T   H O N O R A B L E Henrie Wriothesley, Earle of Southampton, and Baron of Titchfield.

RIght Honourable, I know not how I shall offend in dedicating my vnpolisht lines to your Lordship, nor how the worlde will censure mee for choosing so strong a proppe to support so weake a burthen, onelye if your Honour seeme but pleased, I account my selfe highly praised, and vowe to take aduantage of all idle houres, till I haue honoured you with some grauer labour. But if the first heire of my inuention proue deformed, I shall be sorie it had so noble a god-father : and neuer after eare so barren a land, for feare it yeeld me still so bad a haruest, I leaue it to your Honourable suruey, and your Honor to your hearts content, which I wish may alwaies answere your owne wish, and the worlds hopefull expectation.

Your Honors in all dutie,
William Shakespeare.

The Dedication to The Rape of Lucrece

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, HENRY Wriothesley,
Earle of Southampton, and Baron of Tichfield.

The love I dedicate to your Lordship is without end: wherof this Pamphlet without beginning is but a superfluous Moity. The warrant I have of your Honourable disposition, not the worth of my untutord lines makes it assured of acceptance. What I have done is yours, what I have to doe is yours, being part in all I have, devoted yours. Were my worth greater, my duety would shew greater, meane time, as it is, it is bound to your Lordship;
To whom I wish long life still lengthned with all happinesse.

Your Lordships in all duety.

William Shakespeare.


Venus and Adonis (1593)

The Rape of Lucrece (1594)

Despite the enormous commercial success of both poems, it was not until 1598 that the name William Shakespeare was first published as the author of a play (though several plays were published anonymously in the interim). For some reason the author did not seek to capitalise on this early fame.