Would we agree what are the top 5 William Shakespeare plays? We wondered?

Picking the Top 5 sparked great debate. How is it possible of all the William Shakespeare Plays to pick just five? In all of us they will spark memories of school readings, student life, and first theatre experiences.

You’re sure to ask where Comedy of Errors is, wow no King Lear… are you serious?

We’re sure you’ll have your own ‘Top 5’ – We however took into account popularity of the plays (various sources; media and academic), how many times they’ve performed (at Blackpool’s Grand and in Theatres across the World), and tried to ensure we covered William Shakespeare Plays in all formats – Comedies, Histories and of course the Tragedies.

Our Choice Of The Top 5 William Shakespeare Plays

Henry Fuseli [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

William Shakespeare – Hamlet

The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, often shortened to Hamlet, is a tragedy -considered Bard’s greatest – written it’s believed between 1599 and 1602. Set in Denmark, it plays out Prince Hamlet’s revenge on his uncle, Claudius, by the ghost of Hamlet’s father, King Hamlet.

The longest of all William Shakespeare plays, Hamlet, is considered among the most prevailing and influential works of literature the world over, with a story capable of “seemingly endless retelling and adaptation by others”. Believed to be one of the Shakespeare’s most popular works, and ranks among his most performed, always topping the list of the Royal Shakespeare Company [and its predecessors] in Stratford-upon-Avon since 1879. It has inspired many other writers like Charles Dickens to Iris Murdoch – it’s described as “the world’s most filmed story after Cinderella”. For this alone, Hamlet deserves the number one spot on our list.

By W.J. Morgan & Co. Lith. [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

William Shakespeare – Macbeth

Macbeth (full title The Tragedy of Macbeth) is a tragedy amongst William Shakespeare plays; it is thought to have been first performed in 1606. It dramatises the damaging physical and psychological effects of political ambition on those who seek power [for its own sake].

Of all William Shakespeare plays wrote during the reign of James I – a patron of Shakespeare’s acting company – Macbeth clearly imitates the playwright’s relationship with the sovereign. Published 1623, thought from a ‘prompt book’, it is Shakespeare’s shortest tragedy. Macbeth deserves second place on this list because it how “compactly written” it is.

Frank Dicksee [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

William Shakespeare – Romeo and Juliet

One of most famous William Shakespeare plays, Romeo and Juliet, the passionate story of two “star-crossed lovers”. A Tragedy, Romeo and Juliet written by Shakespeare early in his career is a tale of two teenage star-crossed lovers whose passing finally reconciles their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare’s most popular plays during his lifetime and along with Hamlet, is one of his most frequently performed plays.

The tragedy was transported to the big screen ‘Romeo + Juliet’, a 1996 American romantic crime film directed, co-produced, and co-written by Baz Luhrmann, co-produced by Gabriella Martinelli, and co-written by Craig Pearce. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio.

Edward Scriven [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

William Shakespeare – Julius Caesar

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar is a history and tragedy William Shakespeare play, believed to be written in 1599. Based on ‘true events’ from Roman history, which also include Coriolanus, Antony and Cleopatra.

Although named Julius Caesar, Brutus speaks four times as much as the title character; and the centre of the drama focuses on Brutus’ fight between the conflicting demands of honour, patriotism, and friendship.

By The original uploader was Isis at English Wikipedia.Later versions were uploaded by Maveric149 at en.wikipedia. (Transferred from en.wikipedia to Commons.) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

William Shakespeare – Henry V

Henry V is a history William Shakespeare play, written around 1599 it tells the story of England’s King Henry V, focusing on time before and after the great Battle of Agincourt (1415) during the Hundred Years’ War. The young prince has matured and embarks on an expedition to France, an army badly outnumbered.

The play is the final part of a tetralogy [four related literary works], preceded by Richard II, Henry IV, Part 1, and Henry IV, Part 2.

Blackpool Grand

Take a look at what’s on at Blackpool Grand Theatre this Autumn / Winter 20/21

Blackpool Grand set out a COVID-Community Communication Programme (CCCP) during the Coronavirus pandemic. Our aims were simple, to CONNECT, COMFORT and UPLIFT. We would Connect people by offering tutorials on communication tools like Zoom and conduct community face-to-face meetings (book readings, youth groups and more). Comfort through stories of heritage, memories and storytelling, and to Uplift visitors spirits through laughter and exercise. Please do enjoy and if you can afford to donate please do.

The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it’s possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice around COVID-19, visit the World Health Organisation. If you’re in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

[Main Image: John Gilbert [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons]