Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a formative figure of Elizabethan theater and one of the most popular playwrights ever. In his works he processed several basic themes and combined standard-language with slang, using about 17.750 different, partly newly created words; other than most Elizabethan playwrights he always was “with his eye on the public” (Baker 2). In this way, Shakespeare was able to reach all kind of audience, the simple as well as the aristocratic. After his, due to a lack of information, ‘lost 8 years’, he officially started a career as actor in 1992, at which time he must have already been started being a dramatist, too. According to Baker, Shakespeare’s first production could be traced back to 1592 and Shakespeare’s first release was not before 1597. Later, Shakespeare owned the main part of the globe theatre, developed his own style of playwright and gained in experience, influence and money. When Shakespeare wrote both the plays Henry V. (1599) and The Merchant of Venice (1596), he had already gone through a lot of writing experience. The aim of this essay is, to discuss Shakespeare’s development as a playwright. To do so, “we must fix our gaze upon separate courses of development (…) Thus, for example, (…) we must investigate how Shakespeare manages his plot, (and) how he characterizes his men and women (…).” (Clemen 1) Nevertheless, there are thirty-seven plays of Shakespeare with multiple acts and several scenes each. Obviously, it is not possible to display Shakespeare’s whole development in this small essay; therefore I will focus on those plays mentioned above.
Table of Contents
1. The Development of Shakespeare as a playwright
2. Shakespeare’s early years of being a playwright
3. Chronicle plays
4. The Merchant of Venice
Objectives and Research Focus
This essay examines the evolution of William Shakespeare’s dramaturgy, specifically focusing on his transition from early imitative works to his refined mastery of plot, characterization, and metaphorical language in later plays.
- Analysis of Shakespeare’s early development and "lost years" as an actor and dramatist.
- Evaluation of the chronicle play genre and its limitations regarding character and plot.
- Investigation into the usage of metaphorical language and irony in "Henry V."
- Examination of character dynamics and narrative structure in "The Merchant of Venice."
Excerpt from the Book
The Development of Shakespeare as a playwright
Shakespeare (1564-1616) was a formative figure of Elizabethan theater and one of the most popular playwrights ever. In his works he processed several basic themes and combined standard-language with slang, using about 17.750 different, partly newly created words; other than most Elizabethan playwrights he always was “with his eye on the public” (Baker 2). In this way, Shakespeare was able to reach all kind of audience, the simple as well as the aristocratic. After his, due to a lack of information, ‘lost 8 years’, he officially started a career as actor in 1992, at which time he must have already been started being a dramatist, too.
According to Baker, Shakespeare’s first production could be traced back to 1592 and Shakespeare’s first release was not before 1597. Later, Shakespeare owned the main part of the globe theatre, developed his own style of playwright and gained in experience, influence and money. When Shakespeare wrote both the plays Henry V. (1599) and The Merchant of Venice (1596), he had already gone through a lot of writing experience. The aim of this essay is, to discuss Shakespeare’s development as a playwright. To do so, “we must fix our gaze upon separate courses of development (…) Thus, for example, (…) we must investigate how Shakespeare manages his plot, (and) how he characterizes his men and women (…).” (Clemen 1) Nevertheless, there are thirty-seven plays of Shakespeare with multiple acts and several scenes each. Obviously, it is not possible to display Shakespeare’s whole development in this small essay; therefore I will focus on those plays mentioned above.
Summary of Chapters
The Development of Shakespeare as a playwright: This introductory chapter provides a biographical overview of Shakespeare's career and outlines the research objective to analyze his artistic evolution through specific works.
Shakespeare’s early years of being a playwright: This section discusses the initial phase of Shakespeare's career, characterized by his emulation of other writers and a focus on poetic narrative over complex characterization.
Chronicle plays: This chapter analyzes the stylistic constraints and lack of narrative focus in early historical chronicle plays like "Henry VI" compared to the improved dramatic structure in "Henry V."
The Merchant of Venice: This chapter highlights Shakespeare's sophisticated plot management and character depth in the comedy, particularly focusing on the role of Portia and the thematic complexity of the play.
Keywords
Shakespeare, Elizabethan theater, playwright, chronicle plays, Henry V, The Merchant of Venice, dramaturgy, metaphor, characterization, narrative, plot development, literary style, Portia, history, irony.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this essay?
The essay explores the development of William Shakespeare as a playwright, tracing his growth from his early imitative works to his later mastery of complex narrative and dramatic techniques.
Which key plays are analyzed in this research?
The analysis primarily focuses on "Henry VI", "Henry V", and "The Merchant of Venice" to illustrate Shakespeare's evolution.
What is the core research question regarding Shakespeare's craft?
The research asks how Shakespeare managed his plots and characterized his figures across different genres and time periods to achieve artistic mastery.
What methodology is employed?
The author uses a literary analysis approach, drawing upon historical context and scholarly critics like Baker and Clemen to interpret the text.
What does the main body address?
The body covers the early influence of other dramatists, the structural limitations of chronicle plays, the maturation of metaphorical language, and the reorientation of comedy through strong female characters.
Which terms best characterize this work?
Key terms include Elizabethan theater, dramatic evolution, metaphorical language, chronicle plays, and character development.
How do "Henry VI" and "Henry V" differ in terms of structure?
According to the text, "Henry VI" suffers from a lack of dominant characters and a disjointed plot, while "Henry V" demonstrates improved dramatic skill, better use of irony, and more effective metaphorical instruments.
What is unique about the character of Portia in "The Merchant of Venice"?
Portia is identified as a significant character who establishes feminine control, smarter and more creative than her male counterparts, marking a departure from previous male-dominated comedies.
How did Shakespeare's use of imagery evolve over time?
Shakespeare moved from using multiple standard images for one theme to employing complex, often uncommon metaphors that, while harder to understand, carried much deeper meanings.
What conclusion does the author reach regarding Shakespeare's development?
The author concludes that Shakespeare evolved from a poet mimicking others into an independent master of the stage, effectively integrating narrative, character, and stagecraft.
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- Melissa Grönebaum (Autor:in), 2013, The Development of Shakespeare as a Playwright, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/268365
