The histories have traditionally been interpreted against a background of Tudor moral and political philosophy. They have been arranged in chronological order of the reigns of the kings, and by this plan the full significance of the relationship of the plays becomes apparent.Although the precise date of many of Shakespeare’s plays is in doubt, his dramatic career is generally divided into four periods. The period up to 1594 is Shakespeare's first period of writing called his apprenticeship. Between the ages of 26 and 30 he was learning his craft. He imitated Roman comedy and tragedy and followed the styles of the playwrights who came just before him. In the years from 1594 to 1600 Shakespeare had mastered his art because it is highlighted by 'Romeo and Juliet', 'The Merchant of Venice', and 'Henry IV'. Shakespeare’s second period includes his most important plays concerned with English history and two of his major tragedies. In this period, his style and approach became highly individualized. The years from 1600 to 1608 is looked upon to be his third period. With 'Hamlet', written in about 1601, Shakespeare used this period, lasting about eight years, to probe the problem of evil in the world. At times he reached an almost desperate pessimism for even the comedies of this period are bitter. Finally the period after 1608, his fourth and last period, is the time when Shakespeare used a new form. It was the tragicomedy, or dramatic romance. In his hands the tragicomedy is calm, sober, and quietly lovely. During the years 1590-1600 the English nation became intensely interested in its past. Playwrights catered to this patriotism by writing chronicles, or history plays, Shakespeare was no different. Shakespeare wrote ten great sprawling dramas telling the stories of England's kings. The same interest spread to the history of other nations of Europe. His plays were given special presentation at the courts of Queen ...
