Top-10 Shakespeare Plays
There are hardly people in the world who do not know of the legacy left behind by William Shakespeare, one of the greatest writers in the English language. Born in 1564, he wrote at least 37 plays in his lifetime, and his works remain as relevant and honored as ever.
Here we have rounded up the top 10 Shakespeare plays that have shaken English literature to its core and touched millions of hearts worldwide.
10. The Merchant of Venice
When was it written?
In 1596.
What’s it about?
The Merchant of Venice is an endearing tale of a merchant in Venice, Antonio, who defaults on a loan given by a Jewish moneylender named Shylock. When he fails to pay up, Shylock asks for a pound of his flesh!
Why’s it so good?
The tale is a testament to the realistic and idealistic opinions about relationships and society.
9. Romeo and Juliet
When was it written?
In 1594.
What’s it about?
Romeo and Juliet are doomed lovers from the start since they are born to enemy families. Unable to have each other, they end up killing themselves.
Why’s it so good?
The play portrays how hatred between families can lead to the death of beloved children.
8. The Tempest
When was it written?
In 1611.
What’s it about?
The Tempest is a play about betrayal, magic, forgiveness, and love. Prospero, the protagonist, uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors.
Why’s it so good?
This was the last play Shakespeare wrote before retiring from the stage. It carries with it the hope for the future of humanity.
7. Twelfth Night
When was it written?
In 1599.
What’s it about?
The Twelfth Night is a romantic comedy written for a close of the Christmas season. When Viola is separated from her twin brother Sebastian, she disguises herself as a boy and calls herself Cesario.
Why’s it so good?
The play is rife with several interwoven romances, practical jokes, and mistaken identities.
6. Othello
When was it written?
In 1604.
What’s it about?
Othello is a tale of tragedy and sexual jealousy. An African general in the Venetian army is tricked into suspecting his wife of adultery. After being manipulated, he murders his new wife as punishment for her unfaithfulness.
Why’s it so good?
The tale explores racial prejudice and the destructive power of jealousy.
5. King Lear
When was it written?
In 1605.
What’s it about?
King Lear is one of the best tragedies written by William Shakespeare. The King of Britain, King Lear, is betrayed by two of his daughters. The protagonist makes a fatal mistake that eventually leads to widespread suffering and death of several characters in the play.
Why’s it so good?
A play about a tyrant who loses his mind in old age, this is one of Shakespeare’s greatest works.
4. Much Ado About Nothing
When was it written?
In 1598.
What’s it about?
Much Ado About Nothing is a comedy based on love, misunderstandings, and deception. The play is full of one-liners and gags and is one of Shakespeare’s most loved plays.
Why’s it so good?
It combines hilarity with serious meditations on shame, honor, and court politics. Dignity comes from having free will, but love, marriage, and desire are a threat to it.
3. Midsummer’s Night’s Dream
When was it written?
In 1595.
What’s it about?
The Midsummer Night’s Dream starts with protagonists Hippolyta and Theseus planning their wedding in four days. Then comes the young players’ fiasco, the interventions of the rude mechanicals, and the conflict of fairies.
Why’s it so good?
This exuberant magical comedy is one of the best plays that have held the attention of the audience for centuries!
2. Macbeth
When was it written?
In 1605.
What’s it about?
Macbeth is a magical play in which three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth he will become King of Scotland. The play’s main themes are guilt, loyalty, fate, and innocence, but they all play towards the central idea of ambition and its consequences.
Why’s it so good?
Shakespeare uses symbolism and imagery to illustrate the concepts of guilt and innocence.
1. Hamlet
When was it written?
In 1600.
What’s it about?
The revenge play is the central theme in the tale, and a man must avenge his father’s death. But he questions his own mortality while contemplating his killing spree. Rife with psychological complexity, the protagonist stands alone on stage talking to himself and opens his mind for the audience to ponder.
Why’s it so good?
Hamlet is definitely one of the best plays to have ever existed. The play is a testament to several themes such as action and inaction.
The plays of William Shakespeare give us the sense of the value of human life: how people love and live. They teach us the importance of human relationships. Shakespeare could think himself into the minds of his audience. This is why he remains to be one of the greatest playwrights of English literature.
