The life and works of renowned playwright William Shakespeare were framed by the historical context of the Elizabethan Era, a time of great cultural and artistic flourishing in England. This period was marked by relative political stability and a growing emphasis on the human experience. The plague and social unrest also influenced his writings, creating themes of love, power, and mortality. Shakespeare's plays reflect the complexities of human nature and often address the societal norms and challenges of his time, positioning him as a central figure in Western literature.