[cornelis]

They've been desperately looking for some post-1604 hook on which to hang their Shakespeare hat

The regular academic trick is to produce scholarship with ulterior motives. Why do they need a post-1604 peg?

[antidisestablishment]

Edward de Vere died in 1604.

[SeeSharp]

Why do they need a post-1604 peg?

Edward de Vere was a homosexual and a few "scholars" have argued that he is the real author of Shakespeare's works. No one has been "desperately looking for some post-1604 hook". To the contrary, it's the pro de Vere camp who've been breathlessly searching for proof of their belief.