Top 10 Best William Shakespeare Plays
Hamlet: A tragedy centered on Prince Hamlet's quest for revenge against his uncle, who murdered Hamlet's father and usurped the throne THIS PLAY IS BY FAR MY favorite! I performed this at my school as Queen Gertrude, and I performed at the Denver Shakespeare Festival! I loved this play so, so much. (Which explains why I also did Lion King in elementary school and loved it!) Just amazing play, so many twists and turns.
I'm a high school junior and I have just read this play in school. Before it, I had only read a couple of Shakespeare plays, and I wasn't sure if Shakespeare really deserved his reputation. I found the language hard to understand, and even after discussion and note-taking gave me the general feel of the plays, I thought they were a bit boring. But Hamlet was a different story. I was gripped from start finish, and though I didn't understand every single word, I understood it a lot better because I actually cared about what was going on. The plot is so well thought-out, and I plan on reading it again at some point to get an even better idea of it. Honestly, this is probably my favorite thing I've ever read period, not just of Shakespeare.
This is my favorite Shakespeare play. In this play, Prince Hamlet seeks out on a night watch with his close friends, but he finds out that his father was murdered by brother, so Hamlet seeks revenge on his father's brother with his own version of the poisoning death of his father and catches the king of his deceit and greed. Overall, this play is amazing.
I watched the Lion King and after a few years I have just noticed that it is the exact same plot. I took the time to read this story and boy, did it thrill me! At first, I never knew why this was so popular, and how this makes The Lion King popular but this story is a must read, even if you aren't a Shakespeare fan.
Macbeth: A tragedy about the destructive ambition of a Scottish general, Macbeth, who becomes consumed by power and paranoia Genre: Tragedy
Summary: Three witches meet with Macbeth and inform him that he will be Thane of Glamis, and then the king of Scotland. He goes home and reports this news to his wife, Lady Macbeth, who then devises a plot to assassinate the Scottish king, Duncan, and frame his guards for the murder so that Duncan's sons, Malcolm and Donalbain will flee the country leaving Macbeth to take the throne. After he does this, however, he becomes so paranoid about losing his position of power that he commits murder after murder until finally his soldiers all leave him and he is defeated
This play is notorious for its legendary superstition, believed widely because Shakespeare wrote a real witch's incantation into the text and because of this, superstitious actors believe the play is cursed. In the beginning of the play, the witches seem to know about Macbeth's rise to power before it actually happens, but if Macbeth hadn't met the witches, he wouldn't even have considered ...more
In the last year I read several of Shakespeare's play, I'm in highschool age but from Germany. I absolutely loved Macbeth. I read it within two days, because it simply was so exciting.- It's the number one piece of literature, which shows what happens with humans who seek power.
I saw it in 4th grade and it was the first Shakespeare play I witnessed; I loved the plot!
Masterful and amazing, one of the greatest works of literature of all time.
Romeo and Juliet: A tragic love story of two star-crossed lovers from feuding families, whose deaths ultimately reconcile their feuding households Genre: Tragedy
Summary: Two households, the Montagues and the Capulets have a long standing feud with each other. Two young members from both households meet at a masked ball and immediately fall in love with each other. They keep this a secret from their families in order to maintain peace, yet, the day after the marry, multiple deaths occur leading to violence, Romeo's banishment from Verona, and ultimately, their deaths.
This is widely regarded as Shakespeare's most popular play, but let me be very blunt. Just because this is the most popular play does not make it the best. People are familiar with this play mainly due to the fact that they read it and most likely re-read it all throughout high school. The romantic chemistry between the title couple is practically non-existent, the supporting characters have more interesting story arcs, and have more development. Ultimately, this play did make the list despite its lack of a strong story and lead characters because it ...more
I really love this romantic love story between two different families, Montague and Capulet . Back when I was in school , I played a part in this play and as it turned out I was a Montague, it was fun throwing plastic food during the battle scene with my friends . Shakespeare is a wonderful playwriter !
Tragic, touching, EMOTIONAL. Romeo & Juliet is a classic of international literature, the best love story ever written.
Beautiful play that has been interpreted incredibly by many actors and movie directors over the years.
Julius Caesar: A tragedy focused on the conspiracy against the Roman dictator Julius Caesar, his assassination, and its aftermath Genre: Tragedy
Summary: Julius Caesar, returned from war, is elected to rule Rome due to his success in war. Fearing that his rise to power is too great, Cassius and other Senators decide to assassinate him on the Ides of March (March 15th), but after the assassination, conspirators Brutus and Cassius continuously fail to demonstrate that their cause was just.
Like Romeo and Juliet, this is another one of Shakespeare's popular tragedies, and one of the few that involves war. This is also Shakespeare's only play where the title character dies before the halfway mark of the show, as the assassination occurs in Act III, scene I. (The play is 18 scenes long, making Act III, scene II the halfway mark)
Julius Caeser is the first William Shakespeare play I read and the one I will always love. This has the balance of a spectacular ending based off the famous roman king. It is clever that Shakespeare comes up with a play about a famous king. This was well written and has a spectacular audience ending. Plays should come up with the imagination that Shakespeare has in this play
Shakespeare's greatest polished piece of artwork using Plutarch's biographies brings to life the shocking true story of the World's most notorious assassination. Gripping and spellbinding.
This play is incredible. The language in it, and the rhetoric employed in so many of the speeches are just amazing!
Midsummer Night's Dream: A comedic play that intertwines the lives of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and magical fairies I didn't really understand it in the beginning and wasn't sure if I'd like it or not, but after reading it all the way through, I picked up on what was going on. I have read other plays by Shakespeare such as Hamlet, Julius Caesar, and Romeo and Juliet. I truly enjoyed Hamlet the most; although, A Midsummer Night's Dream is definitely a close second.
This love story from Shakespeare is really entertaining. When I was in bare stages theater, I did this play with a wonderful friend of mine Heather white I had the role of puck and it was fun. I really love and admire Shakespeare and this play is enjoyable.
I performed this once. Hamlet might be my favorite, but this is certainly better than Romeo and Juliet. Personally, I care more about these characters than those the titular morons of that play.
A very captivating plot. Not being the biggest Shakespeare fan myself, this story is interesting enough, in my opinion, to keep even the least enthusiastic reader turning the next page.
Richard III: A historical play about the rise and fall of Richard III, exploring themes of power, deceit, and the nature of evil Iago as the greatest Shakespearean antagonist? Oh how I scoff at your ignorance!
Iago may be a spectacularly spontaneous and malignant mastermind bearing a grudge quietly seeding the seeds of doubt in the hearts of everyone with every spoken word and action, but he holds not a candle to the genius of one Richard the Third Earl of Gloucester who in an atypical fashion for a Shakespearean antagonist was winning hearts instead of cutting them out. A man with great dis-figuration and greater ambition, he laid out his Machiavellian machinations bear to the audience in his opening soliloquy and almost bought a country to its knees. Iago may have been silently moving pieces into the night, but it was Richard who embraced the light as he did the shadows and with not only great cunning, but also with a daring that would leave the Heros of Greece looking tame in comparison, carried on his plots with the same precision as did Shakespeare himself.
This is a wonderful play filled with humor and drama and also battles and even death and even ghosts . Shakespeare is a really amazing in this excellent play , one of the famous lines in this play is my favorite line in this play , a horse , a horse my kingdom for a horse . I really love this awesome play
Makes evil seem so appealing. Explains a lot doesn't it.
This play is amazing, It should be ranked higher.
Henry V: A historical play that follows the life of King Henry V of England, highlighting his military successes, including the Battle of Agincourt The greatest of the history plays. A tale of bloody battles and England's finest leader, King Henry V, a brilliant thinker and an even better warrior.
Amazing. Not as high as number six, but it is perhaps the greatest piece of literature about war, along with War and Peace.
King Lear: A tragedy about the aging King Lear, who divides his kingdom among his daughters, leading to devastating consequences Genre: Tragedy
Summary: King Lear is the king of Britain who is giving up his throne and dividing his kingdom between his three daughters, Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. When he gives away pieces of the kingdom, he has each daughter speak and say how much they love him so it'll look like he's giving them portions on who has the best response. Goneril and Regan are evil and don't love their father, but they lie to him and say they do. Cordelia, who actually does love him, angers him when she says she loves him according to her bond, no more or less. Because of this, Lear divides Cordelia's portion of the kingdom between Goneril and Regan. In a subplot, Edmund, the illegitimate son of the Earl of Gloucester wants to take away his father's title because Gloucester is clearly embarrassed by having to admit that he had an affair and that Edmund was born out of wedlock.
This play's main theme is about relationships between fathers and their children. It's a lengthy story ...more
King Lear should be much higher than eleven. It should at least be top five.
King Lear is Shakespeare's best. Many critics believe it too. It should be the number 1
Othello, The Moor of Venice: A tragedy that explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and racism as the military general Othello is manipulated by his ensign, Iago This is a wonderful play , I have a big collection of Shakespeare 's plays and this is my second favorite play with Romeo and Juliet as my first favorite . This is a wonderful play with a great humor and drama . This play is so amazing and very powerful !
Othello presents the man who all villains aspire to be; the one they were named after! It's... IAGO!
Shakespeare was the first great psychologist, as this play bears witness.
I loved the villain Iago
The Merchant of Venice: A play that features themes of love, mercy, and prejudice, involving a vengeful moneylender, Shylock There are unnecessary side-plots and even more unnecessary characters. Many of the characters have very redundant dialogues (such as Bassanio, Launcelot, Lorenzo, and ESPECIALLY Gratiano). The only reason why it is so famous is because of Shylock's witty dialogues and Portia's role in the play.
Hulloa Merchant turns bankrupt and was 'bout to forfeit whole 'heartedly ' to nascent Jew Shylock. But his friends wife a rich heiress Portia saves him.
Best book ever
Twelfth Night: A comedy involving mistaken identities, love triangles, and gender-swapping disguises Genre: Comedy
Summary: A pair of twins, Viola and Sebastian get in a shipwreck and are separated from each other. They believe each other is dead, even though they both survive the wreckage. Viola washes up in a country called Illyria and decides to disguise herself as a man and enter the court of the Duke of Illyria, Orsino. Orsino is in love with a countess named Olivia who is grieving for her brother and refuses to have any suitor until seven years of time have passed, until she meets Viola (who is under the guise of Cesario) Viola can't return her affections because she falls in love with Orsino. In a subplot, Olivia's steward, Malvolio, earns the ire of her uncle, Sir Toby Belch and his friend Sir Andrew Aguecheek, and they play a prank on him by having Maria, Olivia's housekeeper, write a letter addressed to Malvolio professing her love to him and that she wishes to see him in yellow stockings, cross gartered, and smiling constantly.
This play is similar to the ...more
I just acted in this play last year and I got to play Maria. It was such a blast! The play is hilarious and wonderful to act in! (Especially when you have great actors with you!) Please read this! It's so good
Great play, very entertaining. It should be higher than nine.
This is confusing and hilarious. It fuses shakepears love of comedy.
The Tempest: A play that combines elements of romance, magic, and political intrigue, set on a remote island Genre: Romance
Summary: Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, causes a tempest and a shipwreck to a ship that is returning from Tunis due to his brother Antonio having usurped his position. Passengers of the shipwreck wash up on the island inhabited by Prospero, his daughter Miranda, and his slaves Ariel and Caliban. After twelve years of not seeing his enemies, Prospero decides to set things straight with them, and ultimately it results in his departure from the island, Miranda's wedding, and his fulfillment of revenge, albeit with a happy ending.
I'm not normally a fan of Shakespeare's romantic works, but this one deserves the spot because of how memorable it is. The plot, subplots, and supporting characters all make wonderful impressions and are all wonderful examples of Shakespeare's unique writing style. The end of the play is perhaps one of the earliest uses of a fourth wall audience interaction, (not an aside, an aside is classified as when a character is speaking ...more
Absolutely astounding. The Tempest deserves to be in the top ten.
I love it. I was so happy when I got to play Stephano the drunk butler!
Henry IV Part 1: A historical play that explores the relationship between King Henry IV and his son, Prince Hal, amidst political turmoil Henry IV Part 1 is a truly exeptional mixutre of outrageous comedy, battles and intelligence. A story of fathers, sons and honour.
Antony and Cleopatra: A tragedy by Shakespeare that tells the story of the passionate and tumultuous love affair between Roman general Mark Antony and Egyptian queen Cleopatra
Genre: Comedy
Summary: Prince Don Pedro of Aragon comes to Messina, Italy to visit the governor of the country, Leonato. With him, be brings a Florentine named Claudio, his bastard brother, Don Jon, a Paduan soldier named Benedick, and Don Jon's followers, Borachio and Conrade. Upon their arrival, Claudio falls in love with Hero, Leonato's daughter and wishes to marry her. Don Jon, hoping to interfere, thwarts Claudio's attempts to marry her by convincing him that she is disloyal. Probably one of Shakespeare's most famous subplots, Don Pedro convinces everyone at a dance that despite their seeming contempt for one another, they can set up Benedick with Hero's quick witted and shrewish cousin, Beatrice.
This is very widely regarded as Shakespeare's best comedy, and for good reason. First of all, the play's main themes are deception and gullibility, which are obvious in Claudio's character due to the fact that he falls for everything. Pranks, Hero, ideas, etc. and also, ...more
With such a vibrant pair as Beatrice and Benedick who spar instead of flirt, how can you not love this play? Add to the above a veritable mess of plots, schemes, tricks, and betrayals with an extra helping of the amazing "wedding" scene, I'd be hard pressed to hate anything about this play.
I have seen a few Shakespeare play live, but the movie version of this play done in 1993 is so good. This should be number 1.
A strong minded women in the era has got to be worth a vote. Also it opens with some top notch banter and has the best plot/mood twist probably ever(kill claudio)
It has a great storyline and captures the ongoing and relevant issues of Shakespeare's time
I like this one.
Henry IV Part 2: A historical play by Shakespeare that continues the story of King Henry IV's reign, focusing on his struggles with rebellion and the eventual rise of his son, Prince HalThe humor in this play is astonishing. I was so lucky to get the opportunity to watch it at the Globe Theater in London, England and every single individual performance was spectacular. There is so much richness and warmth throughout the play and definitely one for the ages. This is one of those play that if you go and see it you are expected a good time.
It's wonderful. Hilarious, relatable and has some good Shakespeare insults in there as well...
This play is very interesting. It is very good too! Though it is classified as a comedy, it isn't quite as funny as other Shakespeare comedies. It has its moments, but not as many as A Midsummer Night's Dream, or Twelfth Night. Still worth a read though!
A beautiful play I recommend it to any Shakespeare lovers!
Genre: Tragedy
Summary: Roman emperor, Titus Andronicus has returned from war with only four remaining sons and one daughter out of the twenty-five he had previously. He has captured Tamora, the Queen of the Goths, her three sons, and Aaron the Moor. He murders her oldest son to his own sons, and because of this, Tamora makes it her life mission to destroy Titus and make the Andronicus family suffer.
This play makes the list primarily because I believe it to be Shakespeare's most utterly disturbing tragic play. Like most of his tragedies, this play's theme has a lot to do with revenge, hatred, and insanity. Secondarily, out of all of his plays, I find that the villain of this play, Aaron the Moor, is perhaps the best Shakesperean villain ever written. Why? Because instead of someone like King Claudius from Hamlet, Edmund from King Lear, or Iago from Othello, his dying wish wasn't to make amends with anyone whom he had wronged, his dying wish was that he wished he had ...more
The amount of darkest emotions and traumatic experiences occuring to each of the characters can not be summed up in a mere comment. It must be experienced, it must be felt.
The play contains violence so gruesome, not only because it is gorier than most modern horror flicks, but mostly because of its wicked and vile nature, and the scars it leaves on the characters. Also: the extremely dark irony of how unnecessary all of this is. Revenge for revenge, and the acts of brutality in this one are worse than simply death. Characters get mentally destroyed in this play, in ways more twisted than you can imagine. I don't know all of Shakespeare's plays but it's the only time I've seen one of his works to be as dark as Goethe's works (who is to Germany what Shakespeare is to English language territories, so I often compare them), or even darker. Goethe has written classic works where a character's depression gets more and more intense throughout the book so in its initial release ...more
So many errors! "
Genre: Comedy
Summary: Egeon, a merchant of Syracuse is caught in the town of Ephesus and is to be sentenced to death for entering since it is against the law for Syracusans to enter Ephesus. Duke Solinus grants him permission to tell why he came to Ephesus, and Egeon reveals a long time ago he had a pair of twin boys and had bought two poor boys from an unwealthy woman to be companions and servants to his sons. They had been separated by a shipwreck and now, Egeon is trying to find his other son, with his son setting out for the same purpose. Because they had been separated and were identical at birth, both Egeon and his wife Emelia had assumed they had ended up with the son named Antipholus and the slave named Dromio. Because of this, both sons and slaves are named Antipholus and Dromio of either Syracuse or Ephesus, respectively, and their encounters in Ephesus involve mistaken identity mainly due to the fact that they are all twins and thus cannot tell anyone apart from ...more
Enjoy the "fat knight's" antics and he persues Mistress Ford and Mistress Paige much to their husbands' concern.
This play is very amusing, but I wish it has a slightly more satisfying ending. People think that, out of the two plays by Shakespeare that are lost, one of them was part 2 to this play. I wish we had it! This is a wonderful play
This should be in the top 20 at least. Also Lear is number 2 (in my humble opinion)