Shakespeare, Numbers, and Chronograms - Numberphile

Key Concepts:

• First Folio: A collection of Shakespeare's plays published in 1623, seven years after his death.
• Arabic Numerals: The number system we use today (1, 2, 3, etc.).
• Roman Numerals: A number system used by the ancient Romans (I, V, X, etc.).
• Numerology: The study of the mystical significance of numbers.
• Chronograms: Phrases or sentences in which specific letters, when taken as numerals, give a particular date or epoch.
• Francis Bacon: A contemporary of Shakespeare, who some believe was the true author of his works.
• Rosicrucians: A philosophical secret society said to have influenced Francis Bacon.
• Printers' Practices: The methods and conventions used by printers in the 17th century.

1. The First Folio: Preservation and Insights

• The First Folio was created to preserve Shakespeare's plays for posterity.
• It offers insights into the practices of printers in the post-Shakespearean era, including their use of numbers and potential numerological practices.
• The video explores whether printers embedded hidden numbers or facts within the folio, potentially revealing secrets about Shakespeare's life or authorship.
• The speaker examines two volumes of the First Folio (histories and comedies), noting the absence of tragedies like Macbeth and Romeo and Juliet.
• A complete, immaculate First Folio can be worth around $10 million.

2. Numbering Conventions in the First Folio

• The video highlights the use of Arabic numerals for page numbers, a relatively new practice at the time.
• It notes inconsistencies in how numbers were written, sometimes spelled out (e.g., "fourth") and sometimes represented as numerals (e.g., "Henry 5").
• The speaker points out the unusual use of Arabic numerals for monarchical titles (Henry 5) when Roman numerals are typically used today (Henry V).
• The use of Roman numerals (e.g., "ii s ii d") in a shopping list within the text is discussed, suggesting a possible limitation in the availability of Arabic numeral typefaces or the printers' familiarity with Roman numerals.
• It's suggested that these instances might be the only examples of actual numbers appearing in Shakespeare's text, as numbers are usually written out as words.

3. Page Numbering Errors and Inconsistencies

• Page numbering was not always considered essential, especially since the folio was intended to bring individual plays together.
• The video mentions instances of significant jumps in page numbers, such as a 100-page jump in Hamlet (e.g., from page 157 to 258), attributing these to printer errors.
• The speaker emphasizes the difficulty and expense of correcting errors once they were made, leading to the preservation of these mistakes in the final product.

4. The Baconian Theory and Embedded Codes

• The video addresses the theory that Francis Bacon, not William Shakespeare, was the true author of the plays.
• This theory suggests that Bacon, known for his interest in codes and cryptography, may have instructed printers to embed secret messages within the First Folio.
• An example from "The Tempest" is presented, where the first letters of words in a column (F, B, A, C, O, N) can be rearranged to spell "F Bacon."
• Another example from "Henry IV" is shown, where the word "Bacon" appears with a capital "B" on page 53, a number associated with the Rosicrucians, a group Bacon was allegedly affiliated with.
• The speaker expresses skepticism about these claims, suggesting that patterns can be found if one looks hard enough.

5. Chronograms and Hidden Dates

• Chronograms, a popular practice in the 16th and 17th centuries, involve embedding a date within a phrase or sentence by using specific letters as Roman numerals.
• An example is given from a memorial portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, where selected letters in the inscription add up to 1603, the year of her death.
• The speaker attempts to find chronograms in the First Folio, presenting an example from the heading page of "Macbeth."
• By adding the numerical values of "DIC" (1, 100, 1, 500, 1) and "131" from the top of the page, the speaker arrives at 1606, suggesting this could be the year "Macbeth" was written.
• The speaker acknowledges the speculative nature of this interpretation, emphasizing that such patterns can be found if one actively seeks them.

6. Numerology in the Book Cover

• The speaker notes that the number "168" appears on the book cover and suggests that it is a significant number in numerology, though the specific meaning is not revealed.

7. Conclusion

• The First Folio is a valuable historical document that provides insights into printing practices and numerical conventions of the time.
• While the possibility of embedded codes and numerological significance is explored, the speaker remains skeptical, emphasizing the potential for finding patterns through selective interpretation.
• The video highlights the blend of history and mathematics, suggesting that the study of numbers can offer a unique perspective on historical texts.