Shakespearean problem play

Shakespeare's problem plays eschew the traditional trappings of both comedy and tragedy, and are sometimes cited as early predecessors to the tragicomedy.

Boas' use of the phrase was derived from a type of drama that was popular at the time of his writing, most commonly associated with the Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen.

Some critics include other plays that were not enumerated by Boas, most commonly The Winter's Tale, Timon of Athens, and The Merchant of Venice.

According to Boas, Shakespeare's problem-plays set out to explore specific moral dilemmas and social problems through their central characters.

[3] Rhodes goes on to claim that this offering of the merits of both sides of the social dispute is a rhetorical device employed but not originated by Shakespeare.

[3] Per Rhodes, Shakespeare's problem-plays must address a social issue that can reasonably be debated, ranging from gender roles to institutional power frameworks.

[5] He concludes that problem plays are classified by a pivotal ethical dilemma that instigates multiple opposing but equally plausible opinions from the audience.

A CATALOGVE of the ſeuerall Comedies, Hiſtories, and Tragedies contained in this Volume. From the First Folio of Shakespeare's plays, this table of contents divides the plays into groups of Comedies , Histories , and Tragedies .