Shakespeare’s hybrid style

Abstract – Starting from the critical commonplace that Shakespeare was not an original writer, this chapter provocatively discusses his working practice characteristic of the theatre industry of his time and aims at showing how his borrowing contributes to his distinctive hybrid style. Shakespeare’s technical virtuosity in mixing dramatic modes and emotional responses is discussed in relation to classical comedy (A Comedy of Errors), romantic comedy (Twelfth Night, The Merchant of Venice) and tragedy (Hamlet, King Lear) to show that it is in this unprecedented blending of generic qualities that his innovation and originality lie