Shakespeare is the greatest dramatist in English Literature. Before Shakespeare there was on compact in drama in English literature. He held drama in a strong hand at that time. During this time there was no dramatist like Shakespeare. Shakespeare introduced a new kind of drama in Elizabethan period. So Elizabethan period is called the golden age in English literature.
In Elizabethan period Shakespeare brought a huge change in English Drama. He breaks the Aristotle's view of drama and tragedy. He wrote in his own style. He did not maintain the three unity. At the same time he wrote the great tragedy without maintaining any classical rule. He violated the Greek and roman rules in English drama. In Greek literature tragedy was written in grand style and the hero of the tragedy must have a high birth. Shakespeare ignored the classical rules when he wrote tragedy.
So he is called the father of English Drama.