Shakespeare: The Elizabethan Plays

This study considers the plays by Shakespeare produced during the reign of Elizabeth I, and discusses some of the key issues of the day in their historical context.

Using a comparative method that seeks to move away from the division of Shakespeare's works into categories of tragedies, comedies and histories, plays are compared and contrasted for the purpose of analyzing wider contextual questions.

The plays considered include "Hamlet", "Julius Caesar", "Twelth Night", "The Merchant of Venice" and "A Midsummer Night's Dream".