Shakespeare Plays

The plays of William Shakespeare are hailed as one of the best if not the best literary works that have graced any theater. From the London playhouses of the 16th century to New York Broadway, the works of Shakespeare have sustained successful runs and some have even been adapted into films and musicals.

Shakespeare plays are traditionally classified into comedies, strategies, and histories. The exact chronological order of his plays are unclear but experts mostly agree that Shakespeare started with comedies and histories in the early years of his writing. It was then followed by tragedies that reflected dark topics such as murder, betrayal, and lust. Later in his career, Shakespeare penned romances which were also called tragicomedies.

Some of the more well-known Shakespeare comedies are A Midsummer Night's Dream, As You Like It, and Much Ado About Nothing. His comedy plays are often lighthearted and result in a happy ending with young lovers getting married. Some common elements are the proliferation of puns, mistaken identities, and quirky characters.

Shakespeare's most famous play however is a tragedy: Romeo and Juliet. His other applauded works are tragedies as well which include Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, and Macbeth. His history plays on the other hand such as Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, and Henry VI, are based on the lives of English monarchs.