>We might find that Shakespeare's works were, not just influenced by these unknown works, but outright homages
Shakespeare's works are already known to be homages and heavily influenced by existing works to the point that the stories are pretty much considered English stage adaptations of existing literature, much of which was not originally written in English.
Hamlet is based on the Legend of Amleth, Macbeth and King Lear are both adaptations of Holinshed's Chronicles, Romeo and Juliet is based on Mariotto and Ganozza.
Shakespeare was not the only one who made stage adaptations of classic literature, there are dozens of playwrites who each have their own version of the above listed stories adapted to their specific audiences, language and cultural customs.
Ok, ok...ok. Hear me out. What about a prequel to Macbeth. Macduff and Macbeth origin stories. Hollywood is where the real money is so we'll skip the stage and go straight to film. Not film. Films. We'll split it into 3 (yes, three!) films since there is so much to be told. But since there isn't that much to be told, we'll import a few characters from other Shakespearian plays ...especially those that don't fit the timeline....Tybalt the thane of East Fife, anyone?
Shakespeare already did all of that. Prequel: Henry VI part 1 was written after the success of Part 2 and 3 (which wasn't originally called Part 2 and 3 of course). Spin-off: The Merry Wiwes of Windsor was written because of the popularity of the Falstaff character from Henry IV. It is debated whether it takes place in an alternative continuity. Then Falstaff was killed off-stage in Henry V, presumably because Shakespeare got annoyed by the actor.
Shakespeare's works are already known to be homages and heavily influenced by existing works to the point that the stories are pretty much considered English stage adaptations of existing literature, much of which was not originally written in English.
Hamlet is based on the Legend of Amleth, Macbeth and King Lear are both adaptations of Holinshed's Chronicles, Romeo and Juliet is based on Mariotto and Ganozza.
Shakespeare was not the only one who made stage adaptations of classic literature, there are dozens of playwrites who each have their own version of the above listed stories adapted to their specific audiences, language and cultural customs.