Categorization and Authorship in Shakespeare's Plays

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."