Shakespeare's published plays did not have his name on them. Once he became famous, his name started appearing on plays he did not write. In 1769, which is 150 years after he died, there is the first record of someone doubting that he wrote all of the plays and poems.The exact dates of Shakespeare's plays are unknown, but based on the style of writing, they could be put in order. Sometimes Shakespeare wrote plays and gave them to someone else to play. Shakespeare was also part owner of the theater where his plays were performed. He wrote 38 plays in all. People believe that he wrote rapidly. He probably used a quill pen.