Best Shakespeare plays reviewed

William Shakespeare, sometimes nicknamed “The Bard of Stratford,” is considered one of the greatest and most successful playwrights ever. His works have been performed and adapted countless times, leaving an indelible mark on literature and culture. In this article, we will recommend some of the best plays by Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare’s biography

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, in 1564. He has likely attended the local grammar school, but no records of his education have survived. In 1582, he married Anne Hathaway of Stratford and had three children. He began his career as an actor and writer in London in the late 16th century. His first plays were performed on the stage in the 1590s. Throughout his career, he wrote dozens of plays and sonnets and is considered a master of the English language and dramatic form. The First Folio of 1623, the first published collection of Shakespeare’s plays, came out seven years after his death.

A review of the best plays by Shakespeare

Here is a list of some of the best plays by Shakespeare, along with a summary of each:

Hamlet 

Hamlet is perhaps Shakespeare’s most famous play. It follows the story of Prince Hamlet as he tries to avenge his father’s murder. The play is renowned for its soliloquies and exploration of themes such as revenge, betrayal, and madness.

Romeo and Juliet

The tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet is another one of Shakespeare’s most famous works. It tells the story of two young lovers from rival families who must navigate the dangerous political landscape of Verona to be together.

Macbeth 

This play is a dark exploration of ambition and power. It follows the story of Macbeth, a Scottish general who desires to become king. The play is known for its supernatural elements, including witches and ghosts.

Othello

The tragic story of Othello portrays a Moorish general in the Venetian army who becomes the target of a jealous and manipulative subordinate. The play explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and race.

King Lear

King Lear is an aging monarch who divides his kingdom among his three daughters. The play explores themes of family, love, and the dangers of pride and stubbornness.

Julius Caesar

Julius Caesar, a historical tragedy, tells the story of the assassination of Roman emperor Julius Caesar and its aftermath. The play is famous for exploring themes such as honor, loyalty, and the corrupting influence of power.

The Tempest

The Tempest is a fantastical tale of magic, revenge, and redemption. Prospero, a powerful sorcerer exiled to a remote island, embarks on a wonderous journey. The play explores themes of forgiveness, redemption, and the transformative power of love.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

A Midsummer Night’s Dream is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies. It tells the story of lovers entangled in a fairy world of magic and mischief. The play is famous for its witty wordplay, mistaken identities, and bawdy humor.

Twelfth Night

A young woman named Viola is shipwrecked and separated from her twin brother, Sebastian. She disguises herself as a man named Cesario and becomes a servant to Duke Orsino, with whom she falls in love. However, Duke Orsino is in love with Countess Olivia.

Henry IV Part 1 and 2

Henry IV Part 1 focuses on the rise of Prince Hal, the future King Henry V, as he matures from a rebellious youth into a courageous warrior. The play also features the character of Sir John Falstaff, a humorous and boisterous companion of Prince Hal.

In part 2, King Henry IV cannot lead the fight against the rebels, so his younger son Prince John takes charge. His elder son, Prince Hal, prepares to ascend to the throne. Meanwhile, Hal’s close friend Falstaff causes mischief while belittling Hal. When he becomes King Henry V, when King Henry IV dies, Hal banishes Falstaff from the court.

As You Like It

Rosalind, the daughter of a banished duke, and her cousin, Celia, flee to the Forest of Arden to escape the persecution of Rosalind’s uncle, Duke Frederick.

In the forest, Rosalind disguises herself as a man named Ganymede, and Celia disguises herself as a shepherdess named Aliena. They encounter various characters, including the melancholic Jaques and the lovesick Silvius.

In the forest, Rosalind, disguised as Ganymede, meets Orlando, a young man she had fallen in love with before being banished.

Richard II

The play opens with King Richard II presiding over the trial and banishment of his cousin, Henry Bolingbroke, who has accused a nobleman of treason. As the plot unfolds, the play explores themes of power, duty, loyalty, and betrayal, as the characters navigate the complex political landscape of late medieval England.

Much Ado About Nothing

Set in the Italian town of Messina, the play tells the story of two pairs of lovers: Claudio and Hero and Beatrice and Benedick. Both teams of lovers find their relationships tested by the machinations of Don John, the illegitimate brother of the town’s governor, who seeks to ruin the wedding plans and cause chaos.

Coriolanus

Roman general Caius Marcius Coriolanus struggles to gain political power in Rome. This play is set in ancient Rome, where the plebeians – the ordinary people – rebelled against the wealthy and influential patricians.

Antony and Cleopatra

The tragic historical play Antony and Cleopatra recounts the story of the passionate and tumultuous relationship between the Roman general Mark Antony and the Egyptian queen Cleopatra.

Measure for Measure

Measure for Measure explores themes of justice, mercy, and sexual morality and tells the story of a duke who leaves the city of Vienna in the hands of a strict and puritanical deputy named Angelo while disguising himself as a friar to observe the events that unfold.

The Winter’s Tale

The play is a tragicomedy that explores themes of jealousy, forgiveness, and the power of time and transformation.

The first half of the play tells the story of King Leontes of Sicilia, who becomes jealous of his wife, Hermione, and his best friend, Polixenes, the King of Bohemia.

The second half of the play takes place 16 years later and focuses on Perdita, the daughter of Hermione and Polixenes. She was abandoned as a baby and raised by a shepherd.

Cymbeline

The play tells the story of a British king named Cymbeline, who is angered by his daughter Imogen’s secret marriage to Posthumus, a young man of lesser social status. In response, Cymbeline banishes Posthumus and forces Imogen to marry Cloten, the son of his queen. Posthumus, in despair, makes a bet with Iachimo, who claims he can seduce Imogen.

Other noteworthy and influential plays by Shakespeare include Henry VI, part 1 and 2, All’s Well that Ends Well, Pericles, The Prince of Tyre, The Comedy of Errors, and The Taming of the Shrew. Some lesser-known works worth checking out include The Merry Wives of Windsor, Timon of Athens, Titus Andronicus, Troilus and Cressida, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The Merchant of Venice, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Shakespeare also likely wrote The Two Noble Kinsmen in collaboration with John Fletcher.

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FAQ

Are there 37 or 38 Shakespeare plays?

There are 38 plays attributed to Shakespeare, but scholars assume that some plays may be “lost.” An example of a lost play is The History of Cardenio.

What are Shakespeare’s big four plays?

Shakespeare’s “big four” great tragedies are Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello, and King Lear.

What is Shakespeare’s most iconic play?

Hamlet is perhaps Shakespeare’s most iconic play.

What is the most famous scene from Shakespeare’s Hamlet?

The most famous scene from Hamlet is likely the “To be or not to be” soliloquy, in which Hamlet ponders the meaning of life and death.