Shakespeares tutor: The influence of Thomas Kyd adds to the critical and scholarly discussion that seeks to establish the early modern playwright Thomas Kyds dramatic canon, and indicates where and how Kyd contributed to the development of Shakespeares drama through influence, collaboration, revision and adaptation. A further, complementary aim of the book is to demonstrate various ways in which it is possible to combine statistical analysis with reading plays as literary and performative works.

The book summarises, extends, and corrects all of the scholarship on Kyds authorship of anonymous plays, and reveals the remarkable extent to which Shakespeare was influenced by his dramatic predecessor. The book represents a significant intervention in the field of early modern authorship studies and aims to revolutionise our understanding of Shakespeares dramatic development.

Introduction: Thomas Kyds dramatic oeuvre
1 Kyds stylistic individuality
2 Authorship versus influence
3 Kyds influence on early Shakespeare
4 Revision
5 Collaboration
6 Kyds influence on Shakespeares later plays
7 Kyd and Shakespeare: A reappraisal
Appendix: Rare tetragrams plus, shared between Kyds sole- authored plays

Index