Beginnings of a Plan

Considering that I already have a solid basis of research and only need to clarify certain aspects (at this particular moment), I feel that it would be beneficial for me to begin planning my essay.

From earlier, when I was deprived of the internet, I made a rough list of some of the points that I immediately considered as relevant to discuss. I have transcribed it below.

Authorship 

• Compare with Henry VIII; Nicholson's theory on the "collaboration" with Shakespeare (inconsistencies in the character arcs)
• Also mention late play Pericles, which is believed to be 827 lines of Shakespeare's and the rest belonging to George Wilkins [Vickers, Brian. Shakespeare, Co-Author, Oxford UP, 2002, pp. 291–293]
• All the research for authorship in TTNK, especially Waith's Introduction.
• Mention Cardenio, the lost play purported to have been a collaboration between Fletcher and Shakespeare.
• Mention other possible Shakespeare collaborations?

Characters

• The fact that Theseus and Hippolyte already appear in A Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Compare the characters of The Tempest, Pericles, Cymbeline and The Winter's Tale to those of TTNK closely.
• Mention the other plays where relevant; e.g., the Jailer's Daughter is reminiscent of Ophelia.
• Note that the characters would be inspired by earlier performances of Chaucer's tale; the characters aren't his (also look at the variety in adaptations; e.g., there isn't a 'Jailer's Daughter' in the other adaptations)
• The roles of the characters in all the Late plays texts and whether these are comparable to TTNK.

Themes

• Explain the "transcendence" of the Late plays and how TTNK goes against it.
• Look at themes such as: chivalry, friendship, chastity, love, honour, violence, death, madness etc.
• Refer to the shifting theme from Chaucer to Shakespeare and Fletcher (i.e., the removal of the two kinsmen being considered blood-brothers but heightening the importance of their friendship.

Narrative

• The hopeful, happy endings of the Late plays contrasted with the misery of TTNK.
• How TTNK's ending was already set by Chaucer, as they were adapting the tale.
• How the narrative moves with less conviction and power when compared to the other plays.
• How the climaxed is reached in comparison (e.g., The Winter's Tale does not show the immediate reconciliation between Leonates and Perdita, but Arcite and Palamon are able to overcome their grievances in the former's dying breaths).
• How TTNK compares to other renditions of 'The Knight's Tale' that were around at the time?

Conclusion (roughly, thus so far)

TTNK is unconventional when compared to the beauty of the other late plays due to its tragic ending, but this is established because they are following the source material. Similarly, the influence of Fletcher has to be noted throughout and cemented in the conclusion.