Final answer:
Understanding Shakespeare’s plays within their historical context offers insights into the social and political commentary of the period, enriching our interpretation and appreciation of these literary works.
Step-by-step explanation:
Investigating the relationship between Shakespeare's plays and English history is significant because it helps us understand the social commentary embedded within his works. During the 16th and 17th centuries, theatre was not just a source of entertainment but also a means of reflecting on and responding to contemporary events and concerns. The historical context can provide insights into the subtext and themes of the plays. For example, the upheaval of the English monarchy and the social changes of Shakespeare's time are echoed in the political machinations and personal struggles depicted in plays such as Henry VI, Part 3.
A proper introduction to an analysis of Shakespeare's work should include the title of the play, Shakespeare's biography, and historical background relevant to the play. One might approach writing a thesis statement by constructing it as a combination of observation, analysis, and the signficance of the play’s themes in relation to its historical context.
Understanding the interplay between history and literature through frameworks like New Historicism, which sees history not as a static list of events but as a dynamic narrative important to understanding literature, provides a richer analysis of Shakespeare's work and its lasting impact.