Shakey's Madness: Does a Mental Disorder Reveal the "Real" William Shakespeare‪?‬

Everyone still remembers March of 2020 and the Coronavirus pandemic, right? California was shutdown like Blockbuster Video, and while spending time watching daytime TV, I noticed several ads promoting, "Latuda". What is Latuda used for? I wondered. Why so many commercials? And most important, how much does it cost? The answer, the drug costs around $1,500 for a 30-day supply. What is Latuda? It is a medication like Lithium and it is used to treat people with bipolar disorder.

A little later that same day, I happened to be doom-scrolling on Twitter, and I saw a video of the actor Sir Patrick Stewart reading a Shakespeare sonnet. After listening to the woe and despair of the "real" author, I joked, "Wow. It sounds like old Shakey could have used Latuda!"

Then I realized: what if it were true? What if it was not a joke? What if the "real" author of the Shakespeare canon DID need Latuda? What if he exhibited signs of bipolar disorder in his plays, sonnets and poems? Would not this mental disorder be like the "smoking gun" proving who was the "real" author of Shakespeare once and for all? Currently bipolar disorder affects about 2.6% of the population in the USA, but back in the time of Shakespeare it might have been lower. Let's say it was only 1% of the population in the 1500-1600's. That means 99% of the population did NOT have bipolar disorder!

So that is what "Shakey's Madness" is about: first looking for someone who showed symptoms of bipolar affective disorder. Matching that person up with the symptoms found in the plays, sonnets and poems of the "real" author.

Here is what Shakey's Madness hopes to answer:

1.    Why did he do it? If the "real" author was a nobleman, why would he give away his masterpieces to a commoner?

2.    If William Shakespeare acted as a front for a nobleman, wouldn't there need to be a massive conspiracy to hide the secret?

3.    Is there proof in the author's style, brilliance and personal imprimatur?

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Here is what people who have read "Shakey's Madness" have said:
·       I thought Shakespeare was old and boring, but this book is remarkably interesting, and I could not put it down.·       Well-written with a lot of factual information to back up the claims which is great!  "Even if I may not totally buy what you are selling, you did a good job presenting your argument and I appreciated the kindness you showed to people with BD. My aunt has BD." "I loved your college story of rewriting Shakespeare's Sonnet 116 and then getting a note to see your instructor. My heart was pounding reading it! LOL"