What are examples of problem play in Shakespeare's play?

Answer 1

Shakespeare's problem plays are those which are difficult to categorize, usually because they are comedies in which very sad things happen to the characters. They don't usually die, though. Measure for Measure and All's Well that Ends Well are often called problem plays because their endings are ambiguous. Troilus and Cressida is a problem play because nobody is happy at the end, although they are alive (except for Hector, who has been murdered, and Patroclus who died in battle). Cymbeline is a late comedy but for some reason sometimes gets put in among the tragedies. Merchant of Venice was originally chiefly a comedy, but nowadays the role of Shylock is the central role, and the play turns out very badly for him.