Richard Hathwaye a counterblast to the negative depiction of the title character in the original versions of William Shakespeare's plays "Henry IV (Part 1)" and "Henry IV (Part 2)". Objections from descendants of the historical John Oldcastle, a Protestant martyr, appears to have been responsible both for the writing of the corrective "Oldcastle" play and the alteration of Oldcastle to Sir John Falstaff in later versions of the "Henry IV" plays. Known plays by Hathwaye, either singly or in conjunction with others, include: For the Admiral's Men, 1598-1602: For Worcester's Men, 1602-1603: For the Admiral's Men, 1603: Richard Hathwaye Richard Hathwaye (fl.
The Shakespeare Code makes reference to the many debates about Shakespeare's sexuality. Shakespeare flirts with Martha multiple times during the episode, and ultimately composes Sonnet 18 for her, calling her his "Dark Lady". This is a reference to the enigmatic female character in Shakespeare's Sonnets, although Sonnet 18 is in fact one of those addressed to a male character, the Fair Youth. Shakespeare subsequently flirts with the Doctor as well, at which the Doctor observes, "Fifty-seven academics just punched the air," a reference to the debates on this subject. There is a running joke throughout the episode in which the Doctor creates an