Shakespeare's Male Muse: A Mystery Solved?
Could a long-hidden portrait unlock the mystery of Shakespeare鈥檚 most intimate poetry?
Unearthed after 400 years in a private collection, a portrait depicts a strikingly androgynous youth鈥攋ewelled and enigmatic. But this is no ordinary likeness. Concealed within its layers lies a coded message of love, betrayal, and secrecy. Could it depict Henry Wriothesley, the 3rd Earl of Southampton, Shakespeare鈥檚 patron, and perhaps the true 鈥淢r. W.H.鈥� of his most homo-erotic sonnets? In this thrilling episode, Professor Suzannah Lipscomb is joined by art historians Dr. Elizabeth Goldring and Emma Rutherford to reveal a breathtaking find that could rewrite literary history.
Presented by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb. Audio editor is Amy Haddow and the producer is Rob Weinberg. The senior producer is Anne-Marie Luff.
All music courtesy of Epidemic Sounds.
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