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William Shakespeare is widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time as well as the most influential writer in the history of the English language. He originated hundreds of words and phrases that English speakers use to this day. His impact on literature is so massive that one could make an argument that every one of his works deserves a spot on this list, but these seven plays and one poetry collection are undoubtedly among his most important achievements.
Romeo and Juliet (c. 1594–96)
Romeo and Juliet (1968)Olivia Hussey (Juliet) and Leonard Whiting (Romeo) in Franco Zeffirelli's film Romeo and Juliet (1968).
scene from Julius CaesarSir John Gielgud (second from right, foreground) and Charlton Heston (right, foreground) in director Stuart Burge's Julius Caesar (1970).
Laurence Olivier in a scene from HamletHamlet, played by Laurence Olivier, contemplating death while holding Yorrick's skull, in the film adaptation of Hamlet (1948).
King LearKing Lear with the body of Cordelia, illustration by Friedrich Pecht in Shakespeare-Galerie, 1876.
Mary Evans Picture LibraryThe play opens with King Lear deciding to divide his kingdom among his three daughters in proportion to their love for him. He disinherits Cordelia, the daughter who actually loves him but refuses to falsely flatter him. His other two daughters, the deceitful Goneril and Regan, take over his kingdom. They then turn on Lear and cast him out. Lear descends into madness but is eventually reconciled with Cordelia, who is later hanged before Lear himself dies. King Lear is one of Shakespeare’s most pessimistic works. Hope, however, can be found in the character of Cordelia, who displays an enduring moral strength in the face of injustice.
Macbeth (c. 1606–07)
Macbeth (1971)Jon Finch (center) as Macbeth in Roman Polanski's 1971 film version of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.
Caliban Films/Playboy Productions (courtesy Kobal)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. 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.
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. The first and much larger group of sonnets address an unnamed “Fair Youth,” a male friend of the poet’s. The second set focuses on a “Dark Lady.” As a narrative, the sonnet sequence tells of strong attachment, of jealousy, of grief at separation, and of joy at being together and sharing beautiful experiences. The Dark Lady sonnets end the sequence on a disturbing note of sorrow and self-loathing.
The Tempest (1611)
scene from The TempestProspero, as played by British actor Ralph Richardson, in a scene from a Royal Shakespeare Company production of The Tempest in Stratford, Ontario, Canada, c. 1952.
Kurt Hutton—Picture Post/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe plot of The Tempest centers on Prospero, a magician and former duke of Milan, and his daughter, Miranda. The pair are stranded on a deserted island after Prospero was usurped from his dukedom by his brother, Antonio. Prospero uses his magic to create a storm that strands a group of people, including Antonio, on the island. Among that group is also Ferdinand, who falls in love with Miranda and helps precipitate the actions that lead to reconciliation among the main characters. Although not Shakespeare’s final play, The Tempest seems like his farewell to the theater. It contains moving passages of reflection on what his powers as artist have been able to accomplish.
Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a London-based theatrical company with which William Shakespeare was intimately connected for most of his professional career as a dramatist. It was the most important company of players in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. The troupe’s early history is somewhat complicated.
Globe Theatre, famous London theatre in which after 1599 the plays of William Shakespeare were performed. Early in 1599 Shakespeare, who had been acting with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men since 1594, paid into the coffers of the company a sum of money amounting to 12.5 percent of the cost of building
