Works Flashcards
(19 cards)
What three main genres did Shakespeare write in?
Comedy, history, and tragedy.
What are some examples of Shakespeare’s history plays?
Richard II, Henry IV (Parts I & II), Henry V, Richard III, Henry VI (Parts I, II & III), King John, and Henry VIII.
What themes are common in Shakespeare’s history plays?
Political intrigue, war, royal succession, and life across all social classes.
Name some of Shakespeare’s most famous comedies.
The Merchant of Venice, As You Like It, The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Much Ado About Nothing.
What are typical features of Shakespearean comedies?
Mistaken identities, disguises, wordplay, irony, and usually a happy ending.
Name key tragedies written by Shakespeare.
Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, King Lear, Antony and Cleopatra.
What defines a Shakespearean tragedy?
A noble hero with a fatal flaw, a descent from order into chaos, and a tragic ending.
What is the difference between “heart” and “head” tragedies?
: “Heart” tragedies focus on doomed lovers (Romeo and Juliet), while “head” tragedies involve characters undone by ego and fate (Macbeth, Hamlet).
What are Shakespeare’s best-known narrative poems?
Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece.
What themes are explored in Shakespeare’s narrative poems?
Uncontrolled lust, guilt, and moral confusion.
How many sonnets did Shakespeare write?
154 sonnets
What are the two main themes of Shakespeare’s sonnet sequences?
Obsession with a “dark lady” and love for a “fair youth.”
What is “Sonnet 130” famous for?
Mocking the exaggerated style of Petrarchan sonnets.
Are all Shakespeare’s sonnets in perfect structure?
No—Sonnet 99, 126, and 145 deviate from the usual form.
What meter dominates Shakespeare’s sonnets?
Iambic pentameter.
Why were Venus and Adonis and The Rape of Lucrece published?
Theatres were closed due to plague, so Shakespeare turned to poetry for patronage and income.
What are “tragicomedies” in Shakespeare’s work?
Plays that blend tragic and comic elements, often ending happily despite serious conflicts.
