Computer Analysis Confirms Shakespeare as Principal Author of Edward III, with Marlowe as Co-Writer
A study conducted by Dr. Rory Loughnane and Brett Greatley-Hirsch has established that William Shakespeare is the main author of the 1596 play Edward III, with Christopher Marlowe serving as a collaborator. Their analysis, which compared the play to works by ten different playwrights, identified 23 sections as Shakespeare's and nine as Marlowe's. Loughnane, affiliated with the University of Kent, and Greatley-Hirsch from the University of Leeds, propose that their partnership began in 1592, prior to Marlowe's death in 1593. The research, which examines linguistic characteristics, attributes a speech in scene 13 to Shakespeare and the final scene's dialogue to Marlowe. Results will appear in Shakespeare Quarterly, and Loughnane's book, Shakespeare at Thirty, is set for release this week. An exhibition dedicated to Marlowe is ongoing until 22 November.
Key facts
- Computerised textual analysis concludes Shakespeare was the main author of Edward III beyond reasonable doubt
- Christopher Marlowe is identified as a collaborator on the play for the first time
- The play was published anonymously in 1596 and was not included in the 1623 first folio
- Analysis compared Edward III with works by 10 dramatists active between the late 1580s and mid-1590s
- 23 segments were attributed to Shakespeare and nine to Marlowe
- A 2016 study had found Marlowe co-authored Shakespeare's three Henry VI plays
- The research will be published in Shakespeare Quarterly later this year
- Loughnane's book Shakespeare at Thirty is published by Princeton University Press this week
- The Making of Marlowe exhibition runs until 22 November at the Beaney House of Art & Knowledge in Canterbury
Entities
Artists
- William Shakespeare
- Christopher Marlowe
- Rory Loughnane
- Brett Greatley-Hirsch
- King Jean
Institutions
- Royal Shakespeare Company
- University of Kent
- University of Leeds
- Oxford Marlowe editorial project
- New Oxford Shakespeare
- Princeton University Press
- Shakespeare Quarterly
- Beaney House of Art & Knowledge
- Guardian
Locations
- Stratford-upon-Avon
- United Kingdom
- Canterbury
- France