Categorization and Authorship in Shakespeare's Plays
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Exploring the categorization of Shakespeare's plays in the First Folio, this overview delves into the genres of comedies, histories, and tragedies. It also examines collaborative authorship in plays like 'The Two Noble Kinsmen' and the enigma of lost works such as 'Love's Labour's Won'. The text further investigates Shakespeare's alleged contributions to other plays, highlighting the complexities of authorship in early modern drama.
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The Categorization of Shakespeare's Plays in the First Folio
The First Folio, published in 1623, is a seminal publication that compiled William Shakespeare's plays posthumously. It categorizes thirty-six plays into three genres: comedies, histories, and tragedies. This division has been foundational for Shakespearean scholarship. However, it is important to note that the First Folio does not include all of Shakespeare's plays. "Pericles, Prince of Tyre" and "The Two Noble Kinsmen" were later added to the comedies, and "Edward III" was included among the histories in subsequent editions, despite their absence from the original folio. Modern scholarship often recognizes additional genres, such as "late romances" and "problem plays," which reflect the evolving nature of Shakespeare's work and its interpretation over time.Collaborative Authorship in Shakespeare's Plays
William Shakespeare frequently collaborated with other playwrights, a common practice in the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. The extent of these collaborations and the specific contributions of co-authors are still debated by scholars. "The Two Noble Kinsmen" is a recognized collaboration with John Fletcher. Other plays, such as "Titus Andronicus" and "Timon of Athens," have been suggested to involve co-authorship based on stylistic analyses. "Edward III" is thought to be a joint effort with Thomas Kyd, and "Henry VIII" is widely accepted as a collaboration with Fletcher. There are also suggestions that Thomas Middleton may have revised "Macbeth" and "Measure for Measure," while George Wilkins is believed to have contributed to "Pericles, Prince of Tyre."Shakespeare's Lost Plays and the Question of Apocryphal Works
The Shakespearean canon is intriguing not only for its extant works but also for its lost plays and those of dubious authorship. "Love's Labour's Won" is a play referenced in contemporary records but has not been found, leading to theories that it might be an alternative title for a known play or a genuinely lost work. "Cardenio" is another lost play, which Lewis Theobald claimed to have adapted into "Double Falsehood" from Shakespeare's manuscripts, though the authenticity of this claim is debated. Plays such as "Arden of Faversham" and "Edmund Ironside" exhibit linguistic features that suggest Shakespeare's involvement, but their authorship remains unconfirmed.Shakespeare's Alleged Contributions to Other Works
In addition to his known oeuvre, Shakespeare is speculated to have contributed to other plays of the period. "Sir Thomas More" includes a scene (Hand D) that many scholars attribute to Shakespeare. "The Spanish Tragedy" has additions in its later editions that may also be his work. Other plays, like "The London Prodigal" and "A Yorkshire Tragedy," were once attributed to Shakespeare and included in the Third Folio, but subsequent stylistic analysis has questioned these attributions. The ongoing scholarly pursuit to uncover Shakespeare's potential contributions underscores the complexities of authorship in early modern drama and the continuous fascination with his literary legacy.
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Categorization of Shakespeare's Plays
Genres in the First Folio
The First Folio categorizes Shakespeare's plays into three genres: comedies, histories, and tragedies
Evolution of Genre Classification
Modern scholarship recognizes additional genres, such as "late romances" and "problem plays," reflecting the evolving nature of Shakespeare's work
Inclusion and Exclusion of Plays
The First Folio does not include all of Shakespeare's plays, with some being added in subsequent editions and others remaining absent
Collaborative Authorship
Co-Authorship with John Fletcher
"The Two Noble Kinsmen" is a recognized collaboration between Shakespeare and John Fletcher
Speculated Co-Authorship with Other Playwrights
Other plays, such as "Titus Andronicus" and "Timon of Athens," have been suggested to involve co-authorship with other playwrights
Uncertainty and Debate Surrounding Co-Authorship
The extent and specific contributions of co-authors in Shakespeare's plays are still debated by scholars
Lost and Apocryphal Plays
Lost Plays
Plays such as "Love's Labour's Won" and "Cardenio" are referenced in contemporary records but have not been found
Questionable Authorship of Existing Plays
Plays like "Arden of Faversham" and "Edmund Ironside" exhibit linguistic features that suggest Shakespeare's involvement, but their authorship remains unconfirmed
Alleged Contributions to Other Works
Shakespeare is speculated to have contributed to other plays of the period, such as "Sir Thomas More" and "The Spanish Tragedy."
Categorization and Authorship in Shakespeare's Plays
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First Folio Publication Year
Published in 1623, posthumously compiled Shakespeare's plays.
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First Folio Original Genres
Categorized plays into comedies, histories, and tragedies.
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First Folio's Impact on Scholarship
Division of plays in First Folio foundational for Shakespearean studies.
