The Plays of William Shakespeare

Henry VI: Part One, Two, and Three

Jun 1, 1591

These three historical plays focus on the extraordinary life and downfall of King Henry VI, an unworthy king who was not able to live up to his father's legacy.

Richard III

Mar 1, 1592

This historical play focuses on Richard III, the deformed and brilliant-minded man who rose to power through his remorseless use of manipulation and deceit.

Comedy of Errors

Oct 1, 1592

This comedy focuses on two sets of identical twins who were separated at birth, and the wildly hilarious madness that follows as a result of a mix-up of their identities.

Titus Andronicus

Mar 1, 1593

This tragedy focuses on the extremely violent and bloody conflict between a domineering Roman general and a vengeful Goth queen.

The Taming of the Shrew

Oct 1, 1593

This comedy focuses on a young and boisterous man's attempts to win over the heart of a sharp-tongued and short-tempered woman.

Two Gentlemen of Verona

Mar 1, 1594

This comedy focuses on two young men, whose brotherly bond is tested as they navigate through the ever complex world of love.

Love's Labour's Lost

Jul 1, 1594

This comedy focuses on a king and his three friends, whose vows of scholarly study and celibacy are challenged when they are confronted with true love.

Romeo and Juliet

Oct 1, 1594

This tragedy focuses on the two star-crossed lovers, Romeo and Juliet, whose families' ceaseless feud threatens to destroy their one chance at true happiness.

Richard II

Mar 1, 1595

This historical play focuses on the life of King Richard II, a detached and distant king whose selfish and trivial desires cost him dearly.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Oct 1, 1595

This comedy focuses on two pairs of confused lovers as they navigate through a magical forest, unaware that they are simply pawns in the schemes of the fairy queen and king.

King John

Mar 1, 1596

This historical play focuses on the life of King John, a strong-willed and defiant king whose legitimacy to rule the throne is questioned, and challenged.

The Merchant of Venice

Oct 1, 1596

This comedy focuses on the intertwining stories of a wealthy Jewish moneylender and his desire for revenge, and the emerging love between a businessman and a wealthy heiress.

King Henry IV: Part One, Two

Mar 1, 1597

These historical plays focus on the life of King Henry IV, a worrisome king ridden with sorrow and insecurities over a war he cannot stop.

Much Ado About Nothing

Mar 1, 1598

This comedy focuses on a nobleman who invites his military friends to stay at his house, which then causes a mayhem of romance and witty banter.

Henry V

Oct 1, 1598

This historical play focuses on the life of King Henry V, a fearless and brilliant king who aims for greater glory through his relentless pursuits.

Julius Caesar

Mar 1, 1599

This tragedy focuses on the obstinate Marcus Brutus, whose political beliefs create an internal rift between him and his dear friend, Julius Caesar.

As You Like It

Oct 1, 1599

This comedy focuses on an intelligent young woman who takes advantage of her new life in the forest of Arden after having been exiled from her uncle's court.

Twelfth Night

Mar 1, 1600

This comedy focuses on the complex and humorous love triangle between a wealthy lord, countess, and a young aristocratic woman disguised as a man.

Hamlet

Oct 1, 1600

This tragedy focuses on a prince's revenge against the man who murdered his father and married his widowed mother, as instructed by the ghost of his departed father.

The Merry Wives of Windsor

Mar 1, 1601

This comedy focuses on a portly knight's pathetic attempts to seduce two married women who decide to lead him on for the laughs.

Troilus and Cressida

Mar 1, 1602

This tragedy focuses on the unsteady relationship between two Trojan lovers in the turbulent midst of bloody war and political strife.

All's Well That Ends Well

Mar 1, 1603

This comedy focuses on the unrequited love a woman harbors for the son of a countess, and her persistent endeavors to romance him.

Measure For Measure

Mar 1, 1604

This tragicomedy focuses on a would-be nun as she is forced to choose between saving her brother's life or staying true to her morals and convictions.

Othello

Mar 1, 1605

This tragedy focuses on the plight of an elite general and his kind-hearted wife as they fall prey to a heinous scheme born out of hatred and malice.

King Lear

Oct 1, 1605

This tragedy focuses on an old, foolish king who has relinquished his territories to his cruel and ruthless daughters, with disastrous results.

Macbeth

Mar 1, 1606

This tragedy focuses on a duke consumed by his obsessive ambition to become the next king, and the consequent destructive rampage that ensues.

Antony and Cleopatra

Oct 1, 1606

This tragedy focuses on the negligent ruler Antony and the volatile queen Cleopatra, whose tempestuous relationship becomes further strained by war and political obligations.

Coriolanus

Mar 1, 1607

This tragedy focuses on a courageous, fierce, yet stubborn and pretentious war hero who cannot bring himself to sympathize with his plebeian kinsmen.

Timon of Athens

Oct 1, 1607

This tragedy focuses on a compassionate and magnanimous nobleman who, after falling in financial ruin, discovers the true nature of many of his "friends".

Pericles

Mar 1, 1608

This comedy focuses on a clever prince who solves a king's riddle in a bid for the princess' hand in marriage, only to realize that the riddle reveals a scandalous secret that could cost his life.

Cymbeline

Mar 1, 1609

This comedy focuses on a princess whose husband is exiled for being lowborn, and follows her journey to become reunited with him.

The Winter's Tale

Mar 1, 1610

This tragicomedy focuses on a paranoid and jealous king who injustly imprisons his faithful wife after suspecting her of infidelity.

The Tempest

Mar 1, 1611

This tragicomedy focuses on a powerful sorcerer and his daughter, whose lives on a remote, mystical island are disrupted by the arrival of a shipwrecked prince and his entourage.

Henry VIII

Mar 1, 1612

This historical play focuses on the reign of King Henry VIII, who under the influence of the cardinal, becomes convinced that he must divorce his wife and marry the reluctant Anne.