The great man himself?

As an English major, I am of course interested in the question of whether this portrait is the actual, honest-to-god William Shakespeare.

It would be fun if it were true, since Shakespeare has been studied and studied to the point that it would seem that nothing new could be learned. If it's true, it would also make generations of the Cobbe family look rather foolish. After all, the family has owned this painting for nearly 300 years and not once did a Cobbe say, "You know, this bloke looks a little bit like the other portraits of Shakespeare that I've seen." It was only in the last three years that a Cobbe made the connection, setting off the chain of events that led to the painting's unveiling in London yesterday.

I also hope it's true because one of the Cambridge University specialists who has worked to authenticate the painting is named Rupert Featherstone and, in my mind, if it's good enough for Rupert Featherstone, that's all I need to know.