what are some of shakespeares works

Shakespeare's plays can be roughly divided into three genres—comedies, histories, and tragedies—though some works, such as "The Tempest

" and "The Winter's Tale," straddle the boundaries between these categories.

Full Answer

What are two important works of Shakespeare?

William Shakespeare’s Important Works

• Romeo and Juliet (c. 1594–96)
• Much Ado About Nothing (c. 1598–99)
• Julius Caesar (c. 1599–1600)
• Hamlet (c. 1599–1601)
• King Lear (1605–06)
• Macbeth (c. 1606–07)
• Sonnets (1609)

What are other works that Shakespeare wrote?

William Shakespeare, his Life, Works and Influence

• Life Before the Stage. The exact date of Shakespeare's birth is unknown, but it is accepted that he was born in April of 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon in Warwickshire, England, and ...
• Career and Creation of the Globe. ...
• Retirement and Death. ...
• The Shakespeare Canon. ...
• The Shakespeare Influence. ...

How many words in the complete works of Shakespeare?

Complete work by Shakespeare including Plays, Sonnets, Quotes, Summaries, notes. ... Most of the Shakespeare words and phrases are so expressive that it is just impossible to not use ... Shakespeare Vocabulary is believed to be more than 50000 words in which he used 31000+ words in works. Have a look at some of the words created and used by ...

How many total works did Shakespeare write?

While William Shakespeare is better known as the greatest playwright that ever lived, he also wrote many sonnets. In total, he wrote thirty-seven plays, 154 sonnets, and five long narrative poems,...

What were Shakespeare's main works?

William Shakespeare's Important WorksRomeo and Juliet (c. 1594–96) ... Much Ado About Nothing (c. 1598–99) ... Julius Caesar (c. 1599–1600) ... Hamlet (c. 1599–1601) ... King Lear (1605–06) ... Macbeth (c. ... The Tempest (1611)

What was Shakespeare most famous work?

Nearly 400 years after his death, the best-known of all Shakespeare's lines is 'To be or not to be' from Hamlet, his most popular play in modern times. Hamlet has been translated into more than 75 languages (even Klingon), and performances are always taking place across the world.

How many Shakespeare works are there?

Shakespeare's plays are a canon of approximately 39 dramatic works written by English poet, playwright, and actor William Shakespeare. The exact number of plays—as well as their classifications as tragedy, history, comedy, or otherwise—is a matter of scholarly debate.

What are Shakespeare's works called?

Shakespeare's plays are traditionally divided into the three categories of the First Folio: comedies, histories, and tragedies. The plays within each grouping vary widely.

What are 5 words that Shakespeare invented?

15 Words Invented by ShakespeareBandit.Critic.Dauntless.Dwindle.Elbow (as a verb)Green-Eyed (to describe jealousy)Lackluster.Lonely.More items...•

What are the 4 types of Shakespeare's plays?

Traditionally Shakespeare play types are defined as: Comedy plays. History plays. Roman plays. Tragedy plays.

What are the top 5 longest Shakespeare plays?

List of Shakespeare plays by lengthHamlet – 30,557 words.Richard III – 29,278 words.Coriolanus – 27,589 words.Cymbeline – 27,565 words.Othello – 26,450 words.King Lear – 26,145 words.Henry V – 26,119 words.Troilus and Cressida – 26,089 words.More items...

What is Shakespeare's longest work?

The longest play is Hamlet, which is the only Shakespeare play with more than thirty thousand words, and the shortest is The Comedy of Errors, which is the only play with fewer than fifteen thousand words. Shakespeare's 37 plays have an average word count of 22.6 thousand words per play.

Is Romeo and Juliet is a true story?

The story is, indeed, based on the life of two real lovers who lived and died for each other in Verona, Italy in 1303. Shakespeare is known to have discovered this tragic love story in Arthur Brooke's 1562 poem entitled “The Tragical History of Romeo and Juliet”.

What are 3 types of plays Shakespeare wrote?

Tragedies, comedies and histories.

What is Shakespeare's most famous tragedy?

HamletHamlet remains to this day the most popular and the most produced of all of Shakespeare's plays. It is considered to be one of the most influential tragedies in English literature as well as the most powerful.

What are two of Shakespeare's works?

William Shakespeare, also known as the Bard, is responsible for some of the most famous and beloved plays and poetry ever written in the English language. His most well-known works include Romeo and Juliet, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Taming of the Shrew, Macbeth, and Hamlet.

What is Shakespeare's most famous book?

Best Shakespeare books1) A Midsummer Night's Dream. Image Courtesy- simonandschuster.com. ... 2) Hamlet. Image Courtesy-simonandschuster.com. ... 3) Romeo and Juliet. Image Courtesy- simonandschuster.com. ... 4) Twelfth Night. Image Courtesy- simonandschuster.com. ... 5) Merchant of Venice (header 3) ... 6) Julius Caesar. ... 8) Othello. ... 9) Macbeth.

What is Shakespeare most known for?

He wrote the blockbuster plays of his day - some of his most famous are Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, and Hamlet. It has been almost 400 years since he died, but people still celebrate his work all around the world.

What was Shakespeare's most successful work in his lifetime?

poem Venus and AdonisShakespeare did, however, make something of a splash on his own account in 1593 when his most successful printed work during his lifetime was published by fellow Stratfordian Richard Field: the narrative poem Venus and Adonis. This ran through a total of ten editions before his death.

What was Shakespeare's first famous piece of work?

Shakespeare's first printed works were two long poems, 'Venus and Adonis' (1593) and 'The Rape of Lucrece' (1594). These two of Shakespeare's poems were both dedicated to Henry Wriothesley, Earl of Southampton, who had become his patron.

Who was the leader of Rome in Shakespeare's play?

The most notable example of this is Julius Caesar. In Shakespeare’s drama Caesar, the leader of Rome, is conspired against and eventually assassinated by his former republican allies, including his trusted friend Brutus.

What is the story behind Macbeth?

Along with Hamlet and King Lear, Macbeth is the third of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedies. It is the story of a Scottish nobleman who, following the prophecy of three witches, becomes the ruler of his country after killing Duncan, the reigning king. Macbeth continues to kill potential political rivals.

Why did Macbeth die?

The guilt drives his wife, Lady Macbeth, mad. Ultimately, Macbeth is killed as a consequence of his political ambitions. The tragic rendering of Macbeth’s downward spiral and the iconic depiction of Lady Macbeth’s descent into madness make this one of Shakespeare’s major works.

When were sonnets written?

Sonnets (1609) Written in the 1590s when Shakespeare’s theatrical career was paused during an outbreak of plague, the sonnet cycle was finally published in 1609. The possibly autobiographical sonnets are divided into two sections.

Who illustrated King Lear's body?

King Lear with the body of Cordelia, illustration by Friedrich Pecht in Shakespeare-Galerie, 1876. Mary Evans Picture Library. The play opens with King Lear deciding to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their love for him.

Who played Hamlet in 1948?

Laurence Olivier in the title role of the film adaptation of Hamlet (1948). © Archive Photos. Hamlet is arguably the greatest drama ever written. In it Hamlet, the prince of Denmark, struggles with the recent death of his father and with his mother having married Claudius, his father’s brother and successor.

Who played Juliet in Romeo and Juliet?

Olivia Hussey (Juliet) and Leonard Whiting (Romeo) in Franco Zeffirelli's film Romeo and Juliet (1968). Although not usually considered among his greatest plays, Romeo and Juliet remains one of Shakespeare’s most popular works.

What are the three genres of Shakespeare's plays?

Shakespeare's plays can be roughly divided into three genres—comedies, histories, and tragedies —though some works, such as "The Tempest" and "The Winter's Tale," straddle the boundaries between these categories.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

Scholars of Elizabethan drama believe that William Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays between 1590 and 1612. These dramatic works encompass a wide range of subjects and styles, from the playful "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to the gloomy "Macbeth.".

What was Shakespeare's first play?

Shakespeare's first play is generally believed to be "Henry VI Part I ," a history play about English politics in the years leading up to the Wars of the Roses. The play was possibly a collaboration between Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, another Elizabethan dramatist who is best known for his tragedy "Doctor Faustus.".

What is the chronological order of Shakespeare's plays?

Shakespeare's Plays in Chronological Order. The exact order of the composition and performances of Shakespeare’s plays is difficult to prove —and therefore often disputed. The dates listed below are approximate and based on the general consensus of when the plays were first performed: "Henry VI Part I" (1589–1590)

How is Shakespeare's chronology based?

Current consensus is based on a constellation of different data points, including publication information (e.g. dates taken from title pages), known performance dates, and information from contemporary diaries and other records. Though each play can be assigned a narrow date range, it is impossible to know exactly in which year any one of Shakespeare's plays was composed. Even when exact performance dates are known, nothing conclusive can be said about when each play was written.

Who wrote the two Noble Kinsmen?

Another play, "The Two Noble Kinsmen," was co-written with John Fletcher, who also worked with Shakespeare on the lost play "Cardenio." Some scholars believe that Shakespeare may have also collaborated with George Peele, an English dramatist and poet; George Wilkins, an English dramatist and inn-keeper; and Thomas Middleton, a successful author of numerous stage works, including comedies, tragedies, and pageants.

Who authored all of Shakespeare's plays?

Another controversial question regarding Shakespeare's bibliography is whether the Bard actually authored all of the plays assigned to his name. In the 19th century, a number of literary historians popularized the so-called "anti-Stratfordian theory," which held that Shakespeare's plays were actually the work of Francis Bacon, Christopher Marlowe, or possibly a group of playwrights. Subsequent scholars, however, have dismissed this theory, and the current consensus is that Shakespeare—the man born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564—did, in fact, write all of the plays that bear his name.

Who is the greatest dramatist of all time?

William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare, English poet, dramatist, and actor often called the English national poet and considered by many to be the greatest dramatist of all time.…. Edward III. Edward III, play in five acts sometimes attributed to William Shakespeare, though without much evidence other than the resemblances ...

Who is Edward III attributed to?

Edward III and Cardenio ( Double Falsehood) have also been attributed wholly or partly to Shakespeare, but that attribution is not generally accepted. See also list of Shakespeare characters. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by J.E. Luebering, Executive Editorial Director.

What are the genres of Shakespeare plays?

Traditionally, the plays are divided into the genres of tragedy, history, and comedy ; they have been translated into every major living language, in addition to being continually performed all around the world.

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

Shakespeare wrote at least 38 plays and over 150 short and long poems, many of which are considered to be the finest ever written in English. His works have been translated into every major living language, and some others besides (the Folger's holdings include translations in Esperanto and Klingon), and nearly 400 years after his death, ...

What is the theme of Shakespeare's sonnets?

Twelfth Night. Two Gentlemen of Verona. Winter's Tale. Poster for an 1879 production on Broadway, featuring Stuart Robson and William Crane. Shakespeare's Sonnets is the title of a collection of 154 sonnets by William Shakespeare, which covers themes such as the passage of time, love, beauty and mortality.

Where is Shakespeare's signature found?

One of the very few copies of Shakespeare's signature is found on his will.

Does the Folger have copies of every play?

The Folger has copies of every play , from the earliest printings to modern editions, and we offer carefully edited print and digital texts. Follow the links below for more information, including plot synopses, brief textual histories, and selected images from our collection.

What is the most famous Shakespeare play?

10 Othello, The Moor of Venice: Being one of the most popular Shakespeare’s work, this tragedy is written in approximately 1603. The work deals with four fundamental characters: Othello, Desdemona, Cassio and Iago. The play came into light in seven editions. It suits every era, as it revolves around principal ideas as love, jealousy and betrayal, ...

How many plays did Shakespeare write?

He is called England’s national poet, having 38 plays, 154 sonnets, two long narrative poems, etc. His works have been translated into many languages are performed more than once.

Why is Sonnet 18 so popular?

Sonnet 18 is so popular, being one of the most wonderfully written poems in the English literature. The sonnet’s continued existence caused by Shakespeare’s ability to capture the spirit of love. It is now usually accepted that the theme of the poem is male. Yet in 1640, a publisher named John Benson issued an extremely inexact edition of Shakespeare’s sonnets with some adaptation for young man, replacing “he” with “she”. It is an éclat.

What is the theme of Macbeth?

The play deals with the themes of the over-ambition, betrayal, power, etc. Shakespeare managed to highlight these themes through techniques of soliloquy, monologue and through using supernaturalism, which renders the play into a different sort of work.

Where did Hamlet take place?

This play is written between 1599 and 1601, taking place in Denmark and tells the story of how Prince Hamlet revenged on his uncle Claudius, who murdered the King, The play colorfully explores concepts of betrayal, revenge, and moral corruption. “Hamlet” is Shakespeare’s longest play and one of the most influential tragedies in the English language. Throughout his lifetime, the play was one of Shakespeare’s most well-liked. It has inspired writers and has been depicted as “the world’s most filmed story after ‘Cinderella.’

When was the taming of the shrew written?

1 The Taming of the Shrew: This comedy is written between 1590 and 1594. It begins with an induction in which a drunkard is tricked and convinced to be a nobleman who then watches the real “play”, which portrays a nobleman, Petruchio, that marries an intelligent and bad-tempered shrew called Katherine.

Is Shakespeare's comedy a high quality?

The comedy has been adapted into opera, theater and screen. Undoubtedly, Shakespeare is of high quality, and these works are his most famous ones.

What is the theme of Hamlet?

Undeniably, Hamlet is considered to be Shakespeare’s greatest play of all time. Set in Denmark, this play follows the tragic story of Prince Hamlet who grieves for his father and avenges for his death. The play vividly embraces the theme of madness, from overwhelming grief to seething rage. It also explores treachery, incest, and moral corruption. Hamlet, Shakespeare’s longest play was truly the most powerful tragedy in English literature.

What is the play next to Hamlet?

This Shakespearean play has entered the consciousness of pop culture as the classic love story of two “star-crossed lovers” whose untimely deaths unite their feuding households. Its influence can be felt everywhere, very popular because of its timeless themes anyone can relate. Rome and Juliet have been the language of lovers to today, translated into musical works, theatre and films.

What is the meaning of the play Julius Caesar?

It portrays the conspiracy against Julius Caesar, his assassination, and its aftermath. Although the play is titled “Julius Caesar”, Caesar only appeared in a handful of scenes. The story centers Marcus Brutus who was involved in the assassination of Caesar. This work shows the struggle between conflicting demands of honor, patriotism, and loyalty.

What is Shakespeare famous for?

Shakespeare is perhaps most famous for "Romeo and Juliet," the classic story of two “star-crossed lovers.”.

What is the best Shakespeare play?

The idea of picking the top five plays by William Shakespeare is sure to spark a quarrel among literary critics and theatergoers. Though many consider "Hamlet" the Bard's best work, others prefer "King Lear" or "The Winter's Tale.". Tastes vary, but there is some critical consensus about which plays have ...

What is the plot of Macbeth?

"Macbeth"—a short, punchy, intense piece of drama that charts the rise and fall of Macbeth from soldier to king to tyrant—features some of Shakespeare's finest writing. Although all of the characters are well-drawn and the plot is perfectly formulated, it is Lady Macbeth who steals the show. She is one of Shakespeare's most enduring villains, and it is her intense ambition that drives the play. This crime drama is so popular with audiences that it has inspired over 10 film adaptations.

Why is Romeo and Juliet so popular?

The key reason for "Romeo and Juliet"’s popularity is its timeless themes ; anyone of any age today can relate to a story about two people from very different backgrounds falling head-over-heels in love.

Is Hamlet based on Shakespeare's personal experience?

Possibly based on Shakespeare’s personal experience of losing his own son, Hamnet, in 1596, this tragedy manages to explore the complex psychology of its young hero hundreds of years before the emergence of psychology as a concept. For this alone, "Hamlet" deserves the number one spot.

What is the complete works of William Shakespeare?

Complete Works of William Shakespeare is the standard name given to any volume containing all the plays and poems of William Shakespeare. Some editions include several works that were not completely of Shakespeare's authorship (collaborative writings), such as The Two Noble Kinsmen, which was a collaboration with John Fletcher; Pericles, ...

What is the complete works?

The various editions of the Complete Works include a number of university press releases, as well as versions released from larger publishing companies. The Complete Works (especially in older editions) are often sought after by book collectors, and a number of binderies and publishing houses have produced leather bound ...

Is Shakespeare's Complete Works published by a publishing company?

(For instance, the Complete Works published by the Arden company is often referred to as the Arden Shakespeare, and the edition produced by Yale University called the Yale Shakespeare .)