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The Plays

Nothing makes Will more famous than his plays. Here they are, divided into categories (Comedies, Histories, and Tragedies), with a link to the play (you can read them all online - for free, too!) and a brief description.

I. The Comedies
What was a 'comedy' in his day was any play that ends in a marriage - not all of these plays are necessarily funny.

All's Well That Ends Well	All's Well recounts the complicated love story of Bertram, a young count, and Helena, a Countess' ward, while flying through hoops and rings of politics.	The big reveal at the end!
As You Like It	It's love at first sight, and then forced separation for Orlando and Rosalind. In this hilarious and heartbreaking story of sisterhood, exile, many a family feud, and some slight crossdressing and trickery, we see many happy couples formed, and laugh with them along the way.	Jaques on the riverbank - "All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players..."
Comedy of Errors	One of Shakespeare's complicated twin stories. Egeon, a merchant in the wrong place at the wrong time, must find his wife and twin sons, as they have been separated at sea. Meanwhile, another pair of twins wanders around. Confusion is undergone, twins are mistaken for the other, promises are sort-of kept, and a happy reunion awaits!	Two sets of twins finding each other.
Love's Labour's Lost	The King of Navarre and his three best friends have sworn themselves away for three years of solemn study - and sworn off women. Of course, they immediately fall in love when the Princess of France and her three friends visit the Court - and hilarity ensues. Even though considered a comedy, there are no marriages at the end - a shocking twist comes and the girls must leave immediately, but they promise to eventually return.	The men in disguise as 'Russians'
Measure for Measure	When a young man, Angelo, is given charge of Vienna's government from the Duke while the Duke is absent, he enforces an old law that those guilty of fornication outside of marriage are to be put to death. Claudio has gotten his fiancé pregnant - and Angelo is willing to pardon him, if his sister Isabella will sleep with him. Faced with an impossible choice, she must choose between her purity and her brother's life.	"To whom should I complain?" Isabel emotionally wonders aloud in a soliloquy after Angelo assaults her.
Merchant of Venice	Bassanio needs money. His friend Antonio takes money from a local Jew, Shylock, to help Bassanio find his future wife, Portia. When Antonio's ships unexpectedly sink, he cannot pay Shylock back, and Shylock wants his payment/revenge in the form of a pound of flesh.	Al Pacino in the film version delivering Shylock's most famous speech - "Do not Jews have eyes?"
Merry Wives of Windsor	John Falstaff, a crowd favorite from the Henriad, stars in this play where he wrongly assumes two women have fallen in love with him. After writing them letters, they get in trouble with their husbands, and decide to play an elaborate prank on him to get revenge.	Falstaff in costume, ready to be tricked.
A Midsummer Night's Dream	The most produced play in the world. The worlds of humans and fariefolk intersect in this magical tale of four lovers, in and out of love. Puck, the mischief wanderer of the night, wreaks havoc on unsuspecting mortals, and somehow, everything works out in the end.	The Rude Mechanicals perform their play at the end - and steal the show.
Much Ado About Nothing	Two of the sharpest minds - Benedick and Beatrice - loathe each other. When their younger friends Hero and Claudio fall in love with each other, plots begin to make the two worst enemies become lovers. Through tricks, scandal, and scathing wit, true love is found, and the value of a life is realized.	The cast of the 1993 film starring Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson.
The Taming of the Shrew	Lucentio has fallen in love with Bianca, beauteous daughter of the rich merchant Baptista. But Baptista has a rule: Bianca cannot marry until Kate, her older and much more fiery sister, is also wed. A young man named Pertruchio learns of this deal (and the size of Kate's dowry) and agrees with her father to marry her. Kate, of course, protests, and with some of the wittiest writing in the whole canon, Pertruchio attempts to tame the shrew.	Kate and Petruchio wrestle with their tongues - and a bit more.
The Tempest	Prospero lives alone on a deserted island with his daughter, Miranda, his faerie servant Ariel, and their man-fish slave, Caliban. Having mastered magic, when he learns that the one to do him wrong in his days back in civilization, his cousin Antonio, is nearby, he conjures up a storm to wreck their ship. Now, new people are on the island, including the drunks, Trinculo and Stephano, who take up with Caliban, and the handsome Prince Ferdinand, who is captured by Prospero and falls in love with Miranda. A wonderful, truly heartwarming story of love and magic.	Prospero schemes with Ariel.
Twelfth Night	Another twin tale: Sebastian and Viola are separated on a shipwreck. Both believing the other to be drowned, they end up in Illyria, and live separate lives for a while, Sebastian with his savior Antonio, and Viola crossdresses and pretends to be a eunuch to serve the Count Orsino. With some drunks added into the mix and the best prank-pulling in all of Shakespeare, this has become one of the most loved plays of all.	Stephen Fry as Malvolio following instructions in a letter he believes to be from his lady, Olivia, played by Mark Rylance in the award winning 2012 all-male production.
Two Gentlemen of Verona	Valentine and Proteus are saying goodbye - Valentine must travel to Milan to serve in the Duke's Court. Proteus stays behind, as he is in love with Julia in Verona. But when Proteus is forced to travel as well, chaos ensues. Exchanging rings with Julia, he promises fidelity. Valentine has fallen in love with a woman named Silvia - and when Proteus arrives, he too finds her irresistible. Julia follows, dressed as a page, and finds a world of trouble.	Proteus and Valentine discuss their futures.
The Winter's Tale	King Leontes of Sicilia's boyhood friend, King Polixenes of Bohemia, is about to leave. When Leontes has his wife, Hermione, entreat him to stay a few days longer, he suddenly grows madly and feverishly jealous, certain that she is cheating on him. He has Hermione sent to prison, orders an assassination on Polixenes (who escapes), and banishes his own newborn daughter to some far off land, believing the infant to be a bastard. When the gods prove him wrong, he loses everything - his other son and wife fall dead. Fast forward 16 years: his daughter is still, somehow, alive.	16 years after her death, Leontes gazes on the most lifelike statue of his wife he has ever seen.

II. The Histories

Richard II	This play tales the tale of the immature and juvenile King Richard II and his last days in power before Bolingbroke, the future King Henry IV, takes over. A tale of murder, terror, and the reflection of what it means to be a king has made this an all time favorite.	Mark Rylance in the starring role with the infamous crown upon his head.
Henry IV, Part 1	There is treachery afoot in England - young Hotspur is refusing to release his prisoners from the French and Welsh. Even after a direct meeting with the King, he disobeys orders. Meanwhile, young Prince Hal is in a tavern, getting drunk with Falstaff and his friends, much to the chagrin of the King. To help prove himself, Hal issues a challenge to Hotspur. They come face to face at the Battle of Shrewsbury, with armies on both their sides.	Antony Sherr's magnificent, magnetic Falstaff in the RSC performance two years ago.
Henry IV, Part 2	News of the battle of Shrewsbury spreads far - there is a hint of treachery in the North. Falstaff has fled Hal's company and travels far away, finding old friends. The King is very ill - soon he will die, forcing Hal to suddenly grow up, and reflect on what it is to be responsible, to be a leader, father - a King.	Tom Hiddleston as Prince Hal, who, thinking his father dead, picks up the crown.
Henry V	Young Hal has assumed the crown. When the young French Dauphin shows him great disrespect, he prepares all of England for war with the French, and he himself will lead them into battle.	Alex Hassell as the blood-stained King in the RSC production last year.
Henry VI, Part 1	King Henry V is dead, and with the new King being so young, nobles are beginning to quarrel. News of defeats in France arrive, and it is discovered that Joan la Pucell, also known as Joan of Arc, has taken up arms with the French in what she believes is a war gifted upon her by God. Meanwhile, a certain Richard Plantagenet begins to learn that he might have a claim to the throne, and Henry finds a wife through the Duke of Suffolk, who woos Queen Margaret on his behalf.	Joan la Pucelle praying to God and invoking black magic to help her win the fight.
Henry VI, Part 2	Suffolk and Queen Margaret have fallen in love. At the same time, there is a dispute between York (Richard Plantagenet) and Somerset over who should have regency in France. Suffolk's men kill a fellow noble, and he is banished, and says goodbye to Margaret. York stirs up rebellion, and, with his belief that the crown belongs to him, in a disagreement with the King, kills Somerset and causes the King to flee.	Suffolk and Margaret having and illicit goodbye.
Henry VI, Part 3	York has claimed the throne. They allow Henry to remain king on the condition that upon his death, York's children will inherit the throne. They are about to assume it now, but the Queen returns with an army, kills York's youngest son, and taunts him with a handkerchief stained with his blood before killing York himself. York's youngest son, Richard, kills Clifford, the Queen's right hand man in revenge. Henry flees to Scotland, Edward briefly becomes King, and Richard is now the Duke of Gloucester. In the next battle, Richard kills young Edward (Edward's son) in front of Queen Margaret, and then leaves for London, where he kills King Henry. Older Edward becomes King.	Queen Margaret conspires with the Duchess.
Richard III	Richard wants to be king. First, he has his older brother Clarence imprisoned and murdered. Then, he woos the wife of the now dead Henry VI (whom he murdered) in the middle of Henry's funeral procession. King Edward is now very sick, and dies shortly after the news of Clarence's death. Richard then plans the death of Edward's two other sons, and with no obstacles left, finally becomes King. In his sleep the night before a big battle, he is visited by all the ghosts of those who he has killed. The next day, he falls to Richmond, who then takes the crown as Henry VII.	Vince Eisenson as the hunchbacked murderer-king.
Henry VIII	A rivalry between Dukedom's incites King Henry VIII, who is looking for a divorce from his wife, Katharine. It is revealed that one of the Dukes, Wolesly, has been writing to the Pope with ulterior motives of having a marriage between Henry and the French. Katharine, abandoned, falls ill. Meanwhile, a man named Oliver Cromwell begins making moves around England.	At the trial between Queen Katharine and King Henry.
King John	The French are demanding that the English yield them the crown. At home, two brothers argue over inheritance of a Dukedom. It is revealed that Philip Faulconbridge, hereby known as Faulconbridge the Bastard, is the bastard son of Richard III. He becomes a great ally to John in the war, but is plotting behind his back how to steal the crown. After several large battles and many deaths, King John dies of poisoning, and the future of the country is uncertain.	Pippa Nixon, left, as a genderbent Bastard, conferring with Alex Waldmann, as King John, after a battle.
Pericles, Prince of Tyre	Antiochus has made a deal that anyone who can solve his riddle can marry his daughter. However, it's a trap, for the answer to the riddle reveals Antiochus' incestuous relationship with her, and anyone who knows will be put to death. Pericles realizes the answer, and leaves, aware of the danger. While he is gone, his city, Tyre, falls into disarray, and rebels threaten to take his title. Realizing this, he sets for home to take it back.	Gower, the poet, opens the play with a soliloquy.

III. The Tragedies

Antony and Cleopatra	Marc Antony, a member of the triumvirate ruling Rome, prefers to spend all of his time in Egypt, as he is in love with Queen Cleopatra. Once his wife dies, in order to keep the truce, he agrees to marry his fellow ruler's sister, to Cleopatra's dismay. Jealousy and betrayal run rampant, many backs are stabbed and truces broken, and most die in the end.	Cleopatra makes a fateful decision in the RSC production.
Coriolanus	Rome is in trouble. The citizens are attempting to mutiny. Only one man can calm their quell - Caius Martius. Word of his anger and his power over the populous, and two tribunes, Sicinius and Brutus, begin to scheme against him. Meanwhile, the Volsces, led by a man named Aufidius, are attacking the city of Corioles. Caius Martius defeats them, and is granted the title Coriolanus. But all his success catches up to him two fold in some of the greatest betrayals in the canon.	Ralph Fiennes stars in the 2011 movie version. Here, Coriolanus, now the leader of the Volsces, awaits news.
Cymbeline	Imogen, King Cymbeline's daughter, is hot stuff. A man named Posthumus is in love with her, and she with him, but he is thought unworthy, and is banned. The Queen's dumb son Cloten is also in love with Imogen, but she rejects him. Posthumus is tricked into believing Imogen has been unfaithful while he is away. Cloten is out for revenge. Both of these men have a violent streak in them, spelling disaster for all.	Cloten plots to kill Postumus, take his clothes, and rape Imogen in front of his body.
Hamlet	The most famous of all the plays. The story follows young Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, as he learns his father has been murdered by his uncle, who has now married his mother while he was away at school. Being extremely intelligent, Hamlet is rifled with worries and anxieties, thoughts of death, murder, morals, etc.	David Tennant as Hamlet speaking to Yorick's skull in the RSC filmed version.
Julius Caesar	Julius Caesar, the ruler of Rome, has confederates among his very best friends plotting to take his life. When they do, Rome falls into disarray. Perhaps the most famous story of betrayal of all.	An iconic image of Brutus, Caesar's best friend, about to stab Caesar in the Marlon Brando film version.
King Lear	The old King Lear divides England among his three daughters in the famous line, "Which of you doth love us most?" Regan and Gonerill layer on lavish affections, but his third daughter, Cordelia, cannot. For this, she and all defending her are banished. With conspiracy manifesting in the form of Edmund the Bastard, and his own enemies at work, this multi-plotted play ends in heartbreak.	Lear enters holding the body of his daughter Cordelia. "Thus, my poor fool is hanged."
Macbeth	When three witches tell Macbeth his destiny to be King of Scotland, he and his wife take matters into their own hands and hurry the process by murdering the current King Duncan and sending his son Malcolm fleeing to England. Once they have the crown, they begin to go mad, wracked by guilt and paranoia. The actions they have to do to keep their power are enough to ruin any sane person.	Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard as Macbeth and Lady Macbeth in the 2015 movie version.
Othello	Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a powerful commander, respected by all, and is in love with Desdemona, the most beautiful woman in all the land. But when Iago, his subordinate and most trusted friend, decides he hates Othello and will ruin his life, he plants seeds of mistrust between Othello and his woman that lead to an unfortunate end.	Iago (Kenneth Branagh) whispers into Othello (Laurence Fishburne)'s ear in the 1995 movie.
Romeo and Juliet	In this famous tale, two star-crossed lovers from rival families seek to have each other despite the blood in their inheritance. When family tries to interfere, it all goes to shit.	Leonardo DiCaprio as Romeo and Clare Danes as Juliet in the 1996 Baz Luhrmann film.
Timon of Athens	Timon, a wealthy nobleman, is generous to a fault - he is always throwing lavish feasts for his friends and neighbors, paying finds, creating dowries, etc. His servant, knowing he is near bankruptcy, warns him that his so-called 'friends' are fake, and just using him for money, but Timon doesn't believe him. When he finally is broke, and in debt, he turns to his friends for help, but they all find excuses to avoid him. Realizing that he's been used, he is banished from the city - and he plots his revenge.	An old sketch of Timon, now banished from Athens, digging for roots, and instead finding gold.
Titus Andronicus	The bloodiest of all the plays, Titus follows a complex plot of the rise to Emperor. Titles being passed around, and a murder happening every few scenes, audiences watch as Titus kills relentlessly, his daughter Lavinia is raped and has her hands and tongue cut off to prevent her from telling anyone, and Titus feeds his enemies children to her in a pie. Extremely complicated, but not one to miss.	Titus is enraged after he discovers Lavinia has been ravished and mutilated.
Troilus and Cressida	Amid the giants of the Trojan War, this story focuses on the love of Troilus and Cressida, who meet clandestine through the liaison of Cressida's uncle, Pandarus. When all sorts of boasting and fighting goes on between Ajax, Achilles, Hector, and other famous warriors, one of them goes back to Cressida's tent. Enraged, Troilus plans to kill the suitor.	Hector and Ajax fight for sport.

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