History: Many of Shakespeare's history plays are based on real historical events and figures from English and Roman history. For example, "Henry V" is based on the life of King Henry V, while "Julius Caesar" dramatizes the events surrounding the assassination of the Roman dictator.
Plutarch's Lives: Shakespeare drew inspiration from the "Parallel Lives" by the ancient Greek biographer Plutarch. This collection of biographies provided Shakespeare with material for several of his plays, such as "Antony and Cleopatra" and "Coriolanus."
Boccaccio's "Decameron:" Shakespeare adapted stories from this collection of Italian novellas for plays like "The Taming of the Shrew" and "All's Well That Ends Well."
Ovid's "Metamorphoses:" This ancient Roman mythological poem served as a source for Shakespeare's plays such as "Titus Andronicus" and "A Midsummer's Night Dream."
Holinshed's "Chronicles:" Shakespeare used Raphael Holinshed's "Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland" as a reference for his history plays, including "King Lear," "Macbeth," and "Cymbeline."
Folklore and Literature: Shakespeare incorporated elements from traditional folktales, ballads, and other literary works into his plays. For instance, "The Tempest" contains elements of folklore, while "The Merchant of Venice" is based on a story from an Italian novella.
His Own Observations and Experiences: Shakespeare also drew upon his own life experiences and observations of human nature to create his characters and stories. His works reflect his understanding of human emotions, motivations, and conflicts.
It's worth noting that Shakespeare often combined and adapted multiple sources, transforming them into unique and innovative works of literature. His plays showcased his mastery of language, poetic expression, and storytelling skills, which continue to captivate audiences around the world.