The Author

"Shakespeare is generally thought to have taken up writing between 1589 and 1592" (Brockett, 109). Henry VI parts 1, 2, and 3 are thought to be his first plays. The other two debated possibilities are The Taming of the Shrew and Two Gentlemen of Verona. For ten years, Shakespeare averaged one comedy and one tragedy every year.

Shakespeare's plots often have historical background, but are adopted to meet his own needs. His plays are written with subplots in which character relationships become complicated and complex. The time and setting of his plays tend to have a broad span. The entirety of a play can occur over months or years and the setting can jump to far spread locations. Shakespeare does this to show a world of time outside of the play.

Brockett, Oscar G. "English Theatre to 1642." History of the Theatre. Foundation ed. Boston: Pearson Education, 2007.
        109. Print.