[Shakespeare) was thirty before he undertook the completion of his first tragedy, more or less properly so
called Romeo and Juliet, in 1594. Perhaps this ambitious work was his first play designed for the Lord
Chamberlain's Men; as probably his next tragedy five years later, Julius Caesar, was designed for the
opening of the Globe. They would have been substantial incentives, the formation of the new company,
the erection of the new theatre. In the interim he made many more comedies and histories... It is
reasonable to enquire what happened to the man who during 1599 and 1600 probably wrote Henry V,
Julius Caesar, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, who in 1601 wrote Hamlet and followed it during the next
five years with with Othello, with King Lear, with Macbeth.
-John Berryman, The American Poetry Review
a
What is Berryman saying about what Shakespeare preferred to write?
Shakespeare preferred tragedies.
b. Shakespeare did not write enough plays.
Shakespeare was poor.
d. Shakespeare preferred comedies and histories.
C

Hel