Did William Shakespeare ever exist

Answer 1

Yes, he certainly existed. The church records of his baptism, and the baptism of his children (in which he is named as the father), and his burial all exist. You can look at them if you like. The special licence for him to marry Anne Hathaway (although her name is wrong on the licence) still exists. There is a grave in the church in Stratford and his wife is buried right next to him. We still have his will, which, by the way, leaves money to three members of the theatrical company which was exclusively connected with the Plays of William Shakespeare, two of whom were directly responsible for publishing the First Folio, our only source for many of Shakespeare's plays.

Other people talked about him too. He was mentioned in the will of one of his fellow actors. He was alluded to in a sarcastic pamphlet. He was the subject of an off colour joke about theatre people which one guy wrote in his diary.

There can be no question that he existed.