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Why did shakespeare have to be careful when he wrote plays about kings and queens?

William Shakespeare lived during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, who was known to have strong feelings about the portrayal of royalty on stage. She had once had a play called "The Isle of Dogs" banned because it contained satirical elements that she found offensive. As a result, Shakespeare had to be careful when writing about kings and queens in his plays. He avoided depicting them in a negative way or making fun of them, as this could have led to trouble with the authorities.

In addition, Shakespeare was aware that the monarch had the power to censor or ban any play that they found objectionable. Therefore, he would often use allegory and symbolism to convey his messages about royalty and politics without being too direct. This allowed him to explore complex themes and ideas while still remaining within the bounds of what was acceptable to the authorities.

Literature

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