ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -We know of 39 plays by William Shakespeare, including a few collaborations with other playwrights. One play, Cardenio, was performed at court in the 1612–13 season, but the text has been lost. The other 38 are listed here.

Detailed explanation-2: -It’s generally agreed that Shakespeare wrote 37 plays between 1590 and 1612. In addition to these 37 plays there is one ‘lost’ play – Cardenio – plus a selection of plays that most academics agree Shakespeare collaborated on, such as Love’s Labour’s Won, Edward III, Sir Thomas More and The Two Noble Kinsmen.

Detailed explanation-3: -Now, a 38th appears to be emerging. Arden, the preeminent publisher of Shakespeares work, announced this week that it is publishing the little-known play Double Falsehood, or the Distressed Lovers, saying that there is sufficiently sustainable evidence that it contains at least some bits written by Shakespeare.

Detailed explanation-4: -How many plays did Shakespeare write? Thirty-eight is the generally accepted number, though recent claims have been made for King Edward III and some scholars would include part of Sir Thomas More. Another play, Cardenio, has not survived.

Detailed explanation-5: -Nothing has been found documenting the composition of the more than 36 plays and 154 sonnets attributed to the Bard. Most scholars accept that William Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, and spent time acting in London before returning to Stratford, where he lived until his death in 1616.