U NET : NET SET PHD EXAM

 Shakespeare’s plays are famous for their depth, characters, and storytelling, but many students don’t know that most of his works were inspired by earlier books, legends, and historical chronicles. For English Literature exams like UGC NET, SET, TGT, PGT , questions often appear about the source texts behind Shakespeare’s plays. This post gives you a simple, accurate, and complete list of Shakespeare’s major works along with their original source books. Use these notes for quick revision, exams, or teaching. ✔ Shakespeare Works & Their Sources — Only List Tragedies Hamlet – Historica Danica (Saxo Grammaticus) Macbeth – Holinshed’s Chronicles Othello – Gli Hecatommithi (Cinthio) King Lear – Holinshed’s Chronicles / King Leir Romeo and Juliet – Romeus and Juliet (Arthur Brooke) Julius Caesar – Plutarch’s Lives Antony and Cleopatra – Plutarch’s Lives Coriolanus – Plutarch’s Lives Timon of Athens – Plutarch / Lucian Histories ...

 Explore the life, literary style, major works, and legacy of Robert Browning, the Victorian master of dramatic monologue. Includes key poems, themes, and exam-ready MCQs.   Robert Browning Robert Browning was a prominent Victorian poet born in 1812 in Camberwell, London, and he died in 1889 in Venice, Italy. He is best known as the master of the dramatic monologue , a poetic form in which a speaker reveals their personality, often unintentionally, through their speech. Browning's poetry is intellectually challenging, marked by psychological depth, philosophical questions, and a strong use of irony and dark humor. His works often explore the inner thoughts, motivations, and moral struggles of complex characters. He was married to Elizabeth Barrett Browning , another renowned poet of the Victorian era. While Elizabeth gained fame earlier in life, Robert Browning’s recognition came later, especially after the publication of his long narrative poem “The Ring and the Book” (18...

 Explore the life and works of Sir Richard Steele, co-founder of The Tatler and The Spectator , pioneer of the periodical essay, and a major voice in 18th-century English literature. Richard Steele ✍️ Introduction: Sir Richard Steele (1672–1729) stands tall among the great minds of 18th-century English literature. Best known for co-founding The Tatler and The Spectator with his close friend Joseph Addison, Steele played a pivotal role in shaping modern journalism and essay writing. As a witty essayist, moralist, and dramatist, Steele used his pen not only to entertain but also to educate the rising middle class in London. Through his periodical essays, he brought attention to the importance of virtue, politeness, and emotional sensitivity in everyday life. Steele’s creation of the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff and his engaging prose style made The Tatler a household name. Later, in collaboration with Addison, he launched The Spectator , which further elevated the moral tone of...