Charlton Ogburn was a prominent proponent of the Oxfordian theory of Shakespeare authorship. He argued that Edward de Vere, the 17th Earl of Oxford, was the true author of the works attributed to William Shakespeare. This theory remains a fringe academic view, as the vast majority of scholars maintain that the man from Stratford-upon-Avon wrote the plays and poems.

By 1592, William Shakespeare was already a recognized figure in the London theatrical scene. This is evidenced by the famous attack on him by Robert Greene in 'Groats-Worth of Wit,' where Greene refers to an 'upstart crow' who is an actor and a writer. This reference confirms that Shakespeare had successfully transitioned into the professional world of London theater by that time.

The provided answer key suggests 'The works of earlier poets' is the exception, though this is factually contentious as Shakespeare was deeply influenced by Ovid, Chaucer, and Petrarch. Given the constraint to preserve the key, we note that Shakespeare drew heavily from classical mythology (Ovid), history (Holinshed), and literary predecessors, making the exclusion of 'earlier poets' highly debatable in literary history.

William Shakespeare's tragedy 'Hamlet' is generally dated to 1601. It is considered one of the most significant works of the English Renaissance, exploring themes of revenge, existential doubt, and moral corruption. The play marks a shift in Shakespeare's dramatic style toward more complex psychological characterization and philosophical inquiry, distinguishing it from his earlier comedies and historical plays.

Like the majority of William Shakespeare's major tragedies, 'Hamlet' follows the traditional five-act structure. This structure, influenced by classical models, typically includes an exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and a final catastrophe or resolution, allowing for the complex development of the protagonist's internal conflict and the play's overarching themes of revenge and existential dread.

William Shakespeare wrote during the late 16th and early 17th centuries, a period characterized by the development of Early Modern English. This stage of the language is a subset of Modern English, which began around 1500 and continues to the present day, distinct from the earlier Middle English (c. 1100–1500) and Old English (c. 450–1100) periods.

'Macbeth' is one of William Shakespeare's most famous tragedies, written for performance on the Elizabethan and Jacobean stage. It is a dramatic work structured in five acts, focusing on the psychological and political consequences of ambition. As a play, it relies on dialogue, soliloquies, and stage action to convey its themes, distinguishing it from prose fiction or purely lyrical poetry.

King Oedipus, also known as Oedipus Rex, is a foundational Greek tragedy written by the ancient playwright Sophocles. In contrast, Hamlet, Macbeth, and King Lear are all canonical tragedies written by William Shakespeare during the English Renaissance. Shakespeare's works are distinct from the classical Greek tradition represented by Sophocles.

'A Lover's Complaint' is often considered the most neglected of Shakespeare's poems. Published in the 1609 quarto of his sonnets, it has historically received less critical attention and scholarly analysis compared to his major narrative poems or his sonnet sequence, leading many critics to view it as a minor or peripheral work in his canon.

Hamlet is famous for its extensive use of soliloquies, which allow the audience to peer into the protagonist's complex psychological state. There are seven major soliloquies throughout the play, starting with 'O, that this too too solid flesh would melt' and ending with 'How all occasions do inform against me,' providing a roadmap of his internal struggle and philosophical development.