Shakespeare Tragedy, Comedy and Historical Play

Abstract

This particular research paper sheds light on common recognizable characteristics of Shakespeare tragedy, comedy and historical play. Shakespeare, the dramatist of all time, brought tragedy and comedy developed by classic Greek dramatists: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides and Aristophanes to a new level in the Elizabeth period. Within his theatre life which expands for 22 years, he produced ten tragedies, seventeen comedies and ten historic plays, which are staged with diverse modification all over the world, being translated to almost all the languages that are spoken in very nook and corner in the world. Shakespeare whom quoted next to the Bible is undoubtedly a social reality; his tragedy, comedy and historical plays have become the most timeless and placeless plays which touch the hearts of the audiences irrespective of social political and geographical differences. His tragedy showcases the downfall of the hero/heroine of high socio standing due to a tragic flaw, which finally causes the death of the protagonist either by being killed or committing suicide. His comedy is much more different from one another, although almost all of then end in poetic justice. His historical plays are based on the English history from 12^th century to 16^th century (from 1399 to 1485) and actual kings who ruled Great Britain in the particular period. However, Shakespeare added more dramatic effects into these historical plays constantly reminding the fact that he is not a historian yet a dramatist.