Looking at history through Shakespearean worksStories have traditionally been interpreted against the backdrop of Tudor moral and political philosophy. They have been arranged in the chronological order of the reigns of the kings, and from this plan the full meaning of the relationship between the works becomes evident. 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 writing period called his apprenticeship. Between the ages of 26 and 30 he was learning his trade. He imitated Roman comedy and tragedy and followed the styles of the playwrights who came before him. In the years 1594 to 1600 Shakespeare had mastered his craft as it is highlighted by “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Merchant of Venice,” and “Henry IV.” Shakespeare's second period includes his most important works concerning English history and two of his major tragedies. In this period, his style and approach became highly individualized. The years 1600 to 1608 are considered his third period. With Hamlet, written around 1601, Shakespeare used this period, which lasted about eight years, to explore the problem of evil in the world. At times he reached an almost desperate pessimism because even the comedies of this period are bitter. Finally, the period after 1608, the fourth and last, is the one in which Shakespeare used a new form. It was the tragicomedy, or the dramatic love story. In his hands the tragicomedy is calm, restrained and quietly lovely. During the years 1590-1600 the English nation became intensely interested in its past. Playwrights satisfied this patriotism by writing chronicles, or historical dramas, Sh...... middle of paper ...... telling the lives of kings and royalty in more human terms. The plot also begins, in these stories of comedy and tragedy. This will become one of his stylistic signatures. Thanks to this talent, by seeing a Shakespearean play you learn culture, history and grammar all in one sitting. Shakespeare knew his story well, but he often changed simple facts to fit the medium of the play. He condensed time, combined battles, but also changed characters and actions. Falstaff was not a historical figure and Hotspur was actually much older than he is portrayed and yet both are presented as realistically as in Henry IV. Characters like Richard III and Joan of Arc bear little resemblance to figures in modern history books, but Shakespeare knew what audiences wanted and could identify with the familiar names given to characters in the plays..