• Characterization: Several plays of this period–including Pericles, The Winter's Tale, and Cymbeline–introduce characters who suffer loss, then regain what they have lost. Superb, deeply insightful Dialogue: Highly creative, with many memorable passages in both verse and prose.
3. Major plays--men-centered.
• (1) Romeo and Juliet--tragic love and fate (2) The Merchant of Venice. Good over evil. (3) Henry IV. National unity.
• (7) King Lear Filial ingratitude (8) Macbeth Ambition vs. fate. (9) Antony and Cleopatra. Passion vs. reason (10) The Tempest Reconciliation; reality and illusion.
• 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 a comedy (The Merchant of Venice). Characterization: Strong and rounded, reflecting deep insight into human nature.