文档介绍：William Shakespeare I. Life experiences ?(1) 1564, Stratford-on-Avon; (2) Grammar School; (3) marriage to Anne Hathaway; (4)left his native town, 1592 reappeared (5) London, the Globe Theatre: small part and proprietor; (6) the 1st Folio, Quarto; (7) Retired, 1616. II. Literary career and works ? Shakespeare ’ s writing career can be divided into four stages: ? 1. the early years of his apprenticeship (1592 – 1594) ? 2. a period of rapid growth and development (1595 – 1600) ? 3. a period of gloom and depression (1601 – 1608) ? 4. a period of restored serenity (1608 – 1612) ? Early Period ? Plays: Comedy of Errors, Henry VI Part I, Henry VI Part II, Henry VI Part III, King John, Love's Labour's Lost, Midsummer Night's Dream, Richard II, Richard III, Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, Titus Andronicus, Two Gentlemen of Verona . Style in General: Technically rigid; somewhat immature. The plots generally are well organized. Characterization: Often superficial or shallow compared with the characterization in later plays. Romeo and Juliet, in which characterization is strong, is an exception. Dialogue: Sometimes stilted, unnatural. ? Balanced Period ? Plays: All's Well That Ends Well, As You Like It, Hamlet * , Henry IV Part I, Henry IV Part II, Henry V, Julius Caesar, Measure for Measure * , Merchant of Venice * , Merry Wives of Windsor, Much Ado About Nothing, Othello * , Troilus and Cressida, Twelfth Night. Style in General: Less technically rigid; more creative. The plots are generally well designed. Shakespeare demonstrates his range by writing outstanding works in three genres: comedy, tragedy and history. In addition, he presents a highly tragic character, Shylock, in edy (The Merchant of Venice). Characterization: Strong and rounded, reflecting deep insight into human nature. ? Overflowing Period ? Plays: King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra, Macbeth, Coriolanus, Timon of Athens Style in General: High