sonnets' publication

[LT]

Just finished your book on Mary Sidney and wanted to toss out an idea
on the publication of the sonnets....Could it be that Mary herself
sent the sonnets to the publisher (and specified the dedication),
using Shakespeare's name, in an attempt to communicate, willy-nilly,
with her estranged son? The dedication would certainly have commanded
his attention, and the sonnets tell 'her side' of the story that may
have led to the mother-son estrangement. This would blend well with
your thoughts on the suppression of the sonnets by Shakspeare and
William Herbert, and also might explain the lack of careful editing --
Mary could have secretly sent the sonnets directly to the publisher,
but she could not have corrected them without revealing her
identity....Just an idea

[ro...@theshakespearepapers.com]

That's an interesting thought, Leigh. Seems a wee bit round about to
get the message to her son, but I certainly don't have any answers as
to what "surely" happened, so all ideas should be discussed. I'll keep
my eyes open for any other tidbits that might further corroborate this
possibility. Thanks!
Robin