Pseudonymous Shakespeare

In the course of unmasking 'R.L.', Penny McCarthy scrutinizes devices employed by writers in the Sidney coterie. Among McCarthy's stunning-but solidly supported-conclusions are: Shakespeare used the pseudonym 'R.L.' among other pseudonyms; one, 'William Smith', was also his 'alias' in life; Shakespeare was at the heart of the Sidney circle, whose literary program was hostile to Elizabeth I; and his work, composed mainly from the late 1570s to the early 90s, occasionally 'embedded' in the work of others, was covertly alluded to more often than has been recognized.