The main achievement of the second issue (1601-1608) is tragedy. The main content of tragedy is to reflect the irreconcilable contradiction between humanistic ideal and ugly reality, and to describe the struggling life of humanists and the tragic ending of their failure. Hamlet (160 1) is Shakespeare's masterpiece. Othello (1604) is a tragedy that is transformed from a "family tragedy" into a tragedy with social significance, and the relationship between people who treat each other sincerely is destroyed in the face of ruthless reality. King Lear (1605) describes the tragic story that King Lear was abused by his daughter and son-in-law after he distributed the land to his daughter, and reveals the contradiction between authority and love, sincere love and false love. The hero of Macbeth (1606) is a powerful careerist, "a bad guy with a deep and powerful soul" (written by belinsky). Tragedy reflects the corrosive effect of personal ambition on people in primitive accumulation of capital period. Timon in Athens (1606? Exposing the evils of finance, "brilliantly describing the essence of money" (using Marxism).
The main works of the third issue (1609— 16 12) are legendary dramas. Humanistic belief and "humanization" of legendary dramas. Fantasy in the legendary drama. The Tempest (166 1) is a masterpiece of legendary drama. The script advocates reconciliation and "forgiveness spirit" between people. The contradiction between Prospero's image and Shakespeare's thought in his later years.
Shakespeare's position in the history of drama development and his contribution to drama art. The combination of realism and romanticism, fantasy and reality. The handling skills of drama theme "from point to surface" The perfect combination of vividness and richness of the plot. Personalized dramatic roles. Innovation of drama form and expression.