ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -His 17 comedies include The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing . Among his 10 history plays are Henry V and Richard III. The most famous among his tragedies are Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Macbeth. Shakespeare also wrote 4 poems, and a famous collection of Sonnets which was first published in 1609.

Detailed explanation-2: -In writing the history plays, Shakespeare was not attempting to render an accurate picture of the past. Rather, he was writing for the entertainment of his theater audience and therefore molded historical events to suit their interests.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Histories Shakespeare wrote ten plays about English kings (from John to Henry VIII), as well as several plays based upon Roman history (the most famous of these are Julius Caesar and Antony and Cleopatra). The main source for the Roman plays was Plutarch (which Shakespeare would have studied in grammar school).

Detailed explanation-4: -Ten of Shakespeare’s plays are classified as Histories, covering the reigns of some of England’s monarchs from King John to Henry VIII.

Detailed explanation-5: -Characters become isolated or there is social breakdown. Ends in death. There is a sense that events are inevitable or inescapable. There is usually a central figure who is noble but with a character flaw which leads them towards their eventual downfall. 20-Jul-2022