Shakespeare, Numbers, and Chronograms - Numberphile

Summary

This transcript explores the fascinating world of the First Folio, the collection of Shakespeare's plays published posthumously. The speaker highlights its historical significance, its role in preserving Shakespeare's work, and the intriguing numerology hidden within the text. From unique examples of number usage in the typography, such as the use of Roman numerals and Arabic numerals, to cryptic references to figures like Francis Bacon, the transcript delves into the mysterious connections between the text and numbers. It also touches on the practice of chronograms and hidden dates, all while examining the relationship between math, history, and Shakespeare's legacy.

Takeaways

• 😀 The First Folio was compiled seven years after Shakespeare's death to preserve all of his plays for eternity.
• 😀 The printing process of the First Folio provides insights into how numbers and numerology were used by the printers, revealing hidden messages.
• 😀 The First Folio is made up of multiple volumes, with some plays, like Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet, missing from certain copies.
• 😀 Only a few hundred copies of the First Folio were printed, and only a portion remain today, with the most complete versions being worth millions.
• 😀 The use of Arabic numerals (instead of Roman numerals) for page numbering in the First Folio was a new development at the time.
• 😀 The printing of numbers, especially numerals like 'V' and '5', was done inconsistently, with some being in Roman numerals and others in Arabic numerals.
• 😀 Some typographical errors in the First Folio, such as page number jumps, remain uncorrected due to the costly and labor-intensive nature of the printing process.
• 😀 There's a theory that Francis Bacon, not Shakespeare, might have written the plays, with proponents finding hidden codes in the First Folio like the letters 'f', 'b', 'a', 'c' spelling 'Francis Bacon'.
• 😀 Numerology and hidden codes, like references to Bacon, have been explored in the First Folio, but many people remain skeptical of these findings.
• 😀 Chronograms, a method of encoding dates using Roman numerals, were used in the First Folio, with examples pointing to significant years like 1606 for Macbeth's writing.
• 😀 The First Folio is not only a literary work but also a fascinating blend of history and numerology, with mathematical and historical ideas embedded within the text.

Q & A

What is the First Folio, and why is it significant?

The First Folio is a collection of Shakespeare's plays published seven years after his death. It is significant because it was the first effort to preserve Shakespeare's works for posterity and to ensure they were available in a permanent form.

Why are the printers’ use of numbers in the First Folio noteworthy?

The printers' use of numbers is notable because they experimented with typesetting and numerals, mixing Roman numerals and Arabic numerals, which was unconventional at the time. This may also hint at hidden numerological patterns or secrets embedded in the text.

What does the speaker suggest about the printers' intentions with the numbers?

The speaker suggests that the printers may have used numbers for their own benefit, possibly as a way to show off their craftsmanship or to include hidden codes and messages that future readers could uncover.

What unusual numeral appears in the First Folio, and why is it significant?

An unusual numeral, 'Henry 5', appears in the text, where typically Roman numerals would be used. This is significant because it shows the printers' use of modern Arabic numerals, which was rare at the time, and may reflect a blend of old and new traditions.

How do the page numbers in the First Folio reflect the quality and care put into its production?

The page numbers in the First Folio reflect a lack of consistency, with some pages following one another logically, while others skip numbers entirely, suggesting that the printers were more focused on completing the work than perfecting every detail.

What is a chronogram, and how does it relate to the First Folio?

A chronogram is a method used in the 15th and 16th centuries where Roman numerals within a word or phrase are used to represent a specific date. The speaker suggests that such hidden chronograms might appear in the First Folio, possibly encoding dates significant to the text’s creation.

Why does the speaker mention the theory that Francis Bacon might have written Shakespeare's plays?

The speaker references the theory that Francis Bacon may have written Shakespeare's plays, which became popular in the 1800s, because numerological patterns and hidden messages in the text, such as the appearance of Bacon’s name, have led some to speculate that Bacon might have been involved in writing the works.

What is the significance of the capital 'B' in relation to Bacon in the First Folio?

The capital 'B' in references to 'Bacon' is significant because it stands out as a potential clue to the involvement of Francis Bacon in the authorship of Shakespeare's works, though this theory remains highly speculative.

What does the speaker mean by 'numerology' in the context of the First Folio?

Numerology in the context of the First Folio refers to the idea that numbers, whether embedded in the text as page numbers, numerals, or through hidden codes, have a deeper, symbolic meaning, potentially related to dates, authorship, or secret messages within the text.

What example does the speaker give to show how hidden numerological patterns might be embedded in Shakespeare's plays?

The speaker provides an example from 'Macbeth' where a combination of Roman numerals (DIC) and other numbers is thought to subtly encode the year 1606, possibly reflecting the year the play was written, as a hidden chronogram.