William Shakespeare's Plays

Othello

William Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, written in 1603, is a tale of jealousy, betrayal, and deception. Othello is deceived by Iago into believing that his beloved wife, Desdemona, is betraying him with Cassio, a trick that leads the ragingly jealous protagonist to the ultimate tragedy. After confronting his wife, he kills her even in the presence of her vehement denials. When he discovers Iago’s trick deceit and realizes his love’s innocence... read more

Hamlet

One of William Shakespeare’s more famous tragedies, the story of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, written between 1599 and 1602, demonstrates the author’s skill at creating politically driven plot lines. Prince Hamlet laments the recent death of this father and learns from his ghost that King Hamlet was murdered by his own brother, Claudius, who subsequently married Prince Hamlet’s mother and took the throne... read more

King Lear

The tragedy of King Lear is another of William Shakespeare’s family-driven dramas, written around 1605, that relates the themes of madness, family conflict, love, and loss. This is the story of an aging king who decides he will leave his wealth to the daughter who loves him the most. His disappointment that his youngest daughter refused to express her love (instead stating that she loves him more... read more

As You Like It

William Shakespeare’s As You Like It is a pastoral comedy (meaning set in the country), written in 1599, that focuses on the humorous use of deception. The characters in this play, including Rosalind, Orlando, Oliver, and Celia, all experience challenges with expressing their love, some utilizing false identifies in order to navigate their inability to communicate. In the end, as in most of Shakespeare’s comedies, all is revealed and the heroes... read more

Comedy Of Errors

The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, written around 1594, that creates a web of events that create misunderstandings. Twin brothers were separated at an early age, along with twin slaves that were purchased for them. The play focuses on the misperceptions that occur when both sets of twins go looking for the other, and misunderstandings ensue with those who run into them... read more

Much Ado About Nothing

Much Ado About Nothing is another of Shakespeare’s pastoral comedies, which was first written around 1598. In this story, Don Pedro brokers the marriage between Claudio and Hero, while his brother, Don John, attempts to sabotage it. By being successful in convincing Claudio of Hero’s impurity, Don John convinces Claudio to shame her in public on their wedding day and reject her... read more

Taming Of The Shrew

The comedy Taming of the Shrew was written by Shakespeare around 1591. The story focuses on the relationship between Katherina, a challenging and disagreeable woman, and Petruchio, the man capable of taming her. Though a process of psychological approaches, Petruchio is able to help her identify problematic behaviors and become a compliant and obedient bride... read more

Timon Of Athens

Shakespeare’s play Timon of Athens, a tragedy written around 1605, focuses on the themes of friendship, betrayal, and greed. Timon, against the advice of his steward, Flavius, gives away his fortune to anyone willing to express their friendship to him. When Timon experiences a change of fortune and loses all his money, he sends his servants to go through his friends, systematically... read more

More Shakespearean Plays

Merchant Of Venice

Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, written around 1597, reflects the themes of friendship, revenge, and bigotry. Friends Bassanio and Antonio get into an agreement with Jewish loan shark Shylock with the aim of borrowing money so that Bassanio can marry his love, Portia. Shylock hates Antonio, the person willing to guarantee the loan for Bassanio, so Shylock makes the men promise that if Antonio cannot pay back the loan for Bassanio... read more

The Tempest

The Tempest, written by Shakespeare around 1610, is the story of the magician Prospero and his daughter, Miranda, who were set adrift by Prospero’s brother, who became the Duke of Milan in his absence. The two, stranded on a deserted island live for many years without relief. Prospero calls for a wild and raging storm to bring relief from their tedious lives. Prospero hopes to utilize the storm to bring them home... read more

Twelfth Night

Shakespeare’s comedy Twelfth Night, written in 1601, is a story of love, disguise and overcoming seemingly impossible obstacles. The story is that of Viola and her twin brother Sebastian, who are separated in a storm. Viola disguises herself and falls in love with Duke Orsino, a man in love with another woman, Olivia. Olivia falls in love with the disguised Viola, who now looks like her twin brother. The comedy extends... read more

Romeo & Juliet

Shakespeare’s most frequently taught and recognizable tragedy is that of the ill-fated lovers, Romeo and Juliet, written between 1591 and 1595. The children of sworn enemies, Romeo and Juliet meet by chance before knowing their family names, and fall in love. Only after they have committed their hearts do the two realize that their families would oppose the union. After secretly marrying, Romeo kills... read more

Anthony & Cleopatra

Shakespeare’s historical tragedy Anthony and Cleopatra was written around 1606 and relates the themes of love, betrayal, treachery, and the impacts of being self-absorbed. The story is that of Queen Cleopatra and Marc Antony, one of the triumvirs of the ancient republic. Antony demonstrates his betrayal and treachery by having an affair with Cleopatra. The conflicted love and the opposition by... read more

Tragedy Of Cymbeline

Shakespeare’s Tragedy of Cymbeline was written in approximately 1610, and relates some of Shakespeare’s most common themes, including deception and jealousy. This play is also connected to the Roman history plays by reflecting the history of Cymbeline, Rome’s vassal king of Britain. The story surrounds the love interest of Cymbeline’s daughter, Immogen, her suitors Posthumus and Cloten... read more

King John

The history play King John was written by Shakespeare and provides a dramatic representation of the life and actions of King John of England. This play recounts his history, his bastard son Richard, his military actions in England and France, and the deception that is politics. In the end, John’s history is tragic, as he is poisoned by an unhappy religious figure... read more

Richard II & Richard III

Shakespeare’s Richard II was a historical play written around 1595 that provides an account of the last few years of the life of Richard II, King of England. This play relates the history that leads to Richard’s death and the opportunity from which Henry takes over the thrown. Shakespeare’s Richard III was written around 1592, is the more famous of the two plays.. read more

Two Gentlemen Of Verona

The Two Gentlemen of Verona is considered to be the first play written by Shakespeare, composed between 1589 and 1592. Shakespeare incorporated many of his major themes in this work, including disguise, friendship, betrayal, and methods used to secure love. Friends Proteus and Valentine both share a love for Silvia, who is pledged to marry another. Valentine is unaware... read more

Additional Plays by William Shakespeare

Henry IV, V

Shakespeare’s Henry IV and Henry V are actually three separate plays, written beginning in 1597, that include Henry IV Part 1 and Part 2, and Henry V. These plays cover the progression of the throne of England through four kings, taking into consideration the links to kings Richard II and III and the role that Henry IV played in the end of Richard III’s life... read more

Julius Caesar

Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar was written in 1599, and is one of a triad of plays the author wrote about ancient Roman history. Though Caesar plays a distinct role in the play, the play focuses more concretely on the experiences of Marcus Brutus, the friend and companion of Rome’s driven to kill his closest friend. After Caesar’s death, Brutus is plagued by visits from Caesar’s.. read more

Measure For Measure

Measure for Measure is another Shakespearean comedy written around 1603. Set in Vienna, the events follow the experiences of Claudio, condemned by law for impregnating Juliet, and the efforts to intercede with the judge, Angelo, on Claudio’s behalf. Unbeknownst to anyone, the Duke who left Angelo in charge comes back to spy on the people of the town, in order... read more

Sonnets

The sonnet seems to be the epitome of the lover's message. It is a type of poetic form that was extremely popular in Elizabethan and Victorian England. The sonnet form was invented by Giacomo da Lentino in the mid-13th century. Search for comparative and methaphoric analysis of William Shakespeare's various sonnects and contrasting poets... read more

Critical Writing Shakespeare

Various thesis-seeking/problem-posing exploratory essays and term papers engage with the William Shakesperes various play's and its critical interpretations and reception by identifying problems, developing claims and arguments, to depict the writers literary understanding, interests, and commitments. read more

Analytical Shakespeare

Here you will find a detailed analysis of William Shakespearea's plays, including information on the major characters and themes, analytical interpretations, annotations, and the theatrical history of each drama. read more

Shakespeare Plays and Essay Topics