The Big Three:
* William Shakespeare: The most famous playwright of all time, known for works like *Hamlet*, *Romeo and Juliet*, *Macbeth*, and *King Lear*.
* Christopher Marlowe: A contemporary of Shakespeare, known for his blank verse and dramatic characters. His most famous plays include *Doctor Faustus* and *The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus*.
* Ben Jonson: A playwright and poet, known for his wit and satirical comedies. Some of his most famous works include *Every Man in His Humour*, *Volpone*, and *The Alchemist*.
Other Notable Playwrights:
* Thomas Kyd: Known for his revenge tragedy *The Spanish Tragedy*.
* John Lyly: A playwright known for his use of euphuism, a style of writing characterized by elaborate and ornate language.
* Robert Greene: Known for his romantic comedies and tragicomedies.
* George Peele: Known for his historical plays and romantic comedies.
* Thomas Dekker: Known for his city comedies and social satires.
* John Webster: Known for his dark and tragic plays, such as *The Duchess of Malfi*.
* Francis Beaumont & John Fletcher: A collaborative team that wrote numerous popular plays, including *Philaster* and *The Maid's Tragedy*.
This list is not exhaustive, but it includes some of the most prominent and influential playwrights of the Elizabethan Era. Their plays, along with the works of other lesser-known writers, helped to define the era's unique theatrical style and contributed to the development of English drama.