Tragedy:
* William Shakespeare: Arguably the most famous playwright of all time. His works like "Hamlet," "King Lear," "Macbeth," and "Othello" are considered masterpieces of the English language. He explored themes of love, death, revenge, ambition, and the nature of human existence.
* Christopher Marlowe: Known for his powerful blank verse and his portrayal of ambitious and passionate characters. His most famous work is "Doctor Faustus," a play about a scholar who sells his soul to the devil for knowledge. Other significant plays include "The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus," "Tamburlaine the Great," and "The Jew of Malta."
* John Webster: Known for his dark and disturbing tragedies, characterized by psychological complexity and intricate plots. Notable plays include "The Duchess of Malfi," "The White Devil," and "The Devil's Law-Case."
* Thomas Kyd: Famous for his revenge tragedy "The Spanish Tragedy," which influenced Shakespeare's own tragedies.
* Thomas Middleton: His tragedies often focused on themes of corruption and social injustice. Notable works include "The Changeling" and "Women Beware Women."
Comedy:
* William Shakespeare: Alongside his tragedies, Shakespeare penned a variety of comedies, including "A Midsummer Night's Dream," "Twelfth Night," "Much Ado About Nothing," and "As You Like It." His comedies explored themes of love, mistaken identity, and the absurdity of human behavior.
* Ben Jonson: A master of comedy, known for his sharp wit and satirical observations of society. His plays, including "Every Man in His Humour," "Volpone," and "The Alchemist," are characterized by their lively dialogue and memorable characters.
* John Lyly: Pioneered a style of comedy called "euphuistic comedy" known for its elaborate language and witty dialogue. His most famous play is "Endimion."
* Thomas Dekker: Known for his comic plays like "The Shoemaker's Holiday" and "Old Fortunatus," often featuring themes of social mobility and the power of love.
Tragicomedy:
* John Fletcher: Famous for his collaboration with Shakespeare on plays like "The Two Noble Kinsmen" and "Henry VIII." He also wrote a number of tragicomedies, including "The Faithful Shepherdess" and "The Wild Goose Chase."
* Francis Beaumont: Worked closely with John Fletcher, their collaborations include "Philaster" and "The Knight of the Burning Pestle."
Historical Plays:
* William Shakespeare: Wrote several history plays, including "Richard III," "Henry V," and "Richard II," exploring themes of power, ambition, and the consequences of political upheaval.
* Christopher Marlowe: His "Edward II" is a significant example of a historical play exploring the reign and downfall of a monarch.
Other Notable Dramatists:
* George Chapman: Known for his translation of Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey," and his dramatic works like "Bussy D'Ambois" and "The Gentleman Usher."
* Thomas Heywood: Prolific playwright with a wide range of works, including "A Woman Killed with Kindness," "The Fair Maid of the West," and "The English Traveller."
* John Marston: Known for his dark comedies and satirical plays like "The Malcontent" and "Eastward Ho!"
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it provides a good overview of some of the most significant dramatists of the Elizabethan and Jacobean periods. Their works continue to be studied and performed today, and their influence on Western theatre remains profound.