Want to understand Shakespeare but don’t know where to start? These five essential plays will give you everything you need to appreciate the Bard’s genius, from tragic romance to psychological thriller.
Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, but let’s be honest: you don’t need to read them all to “get” Shakespeare. Whether you’re a student facing your first assignment, someone who’s always felt intimidated by Elizabethan English, or just curious about what all the fuss is about, these five plays represent Shakespeare at his absolute best.
Think of this as your Shakespeare starter pack – the essential works that have shaped literature, theater, and popular culture for over 400 years.
1. Romeo and Juliet: The Ultimate Love Story
Why it’s essential: This is probably the only Shakespeare plot everyone knows, even if they’ve never read the play. Star-crossed lovers, feuding families, tragic misunderstandings – it’s the template for every romantic drama that followed.
What makes it great: Shakespeare takes a simple story and layers it with incredible poetry, complex family dynamics, and surprising humor (yes, Romeo and Juliet is actually funny in places). The balcony scene alone contains some of the most beautiful love poetry ever written in English.
Perfect for: First-time Shakespeare readers, anyone who loves romantic stories, students looking for accessible Shakespeare.
Modern connections: Every “forbidden love” story from Titanic to The Notebook owes a debt to Romeo and Juliet. West Side Story is literally Romeo and Juliet with gangs and dancing.
Dive Deeper: Read our complete Romeo and Juliet Play Summary or explore all our Romeo and Juliet posts
2. Hamlet: The Original Psychological Thriller
Why it’s essential: Hamlet isn’t just Shakespeare’s longest play – it’s arguably his deepest. This is where Shakespeare explores big questions about life, death, revenge, and what it means to be human.
What makes it great: Hamlet’s internal struggle feels completely modern. He’s dealing with grief, family dysfunction, moral dilemmas, and the pressure to take action when he’s not sure what’s right. Sound familiar?
Perfect for: Anyone who enjoys psychological dramas, people dealing with difficult family situations, readers who want to tackle Shakespeare’s most famous work.
Modern connections: Every antihero from Tony Soprano to Batman grapples with Hamlet-like moral complexity. The “to be or not to be” soliloquy is referenced everywhere from The Simpsons to serious literature.
Want more? Get our full Hamlet breakdown or browse everything we’ve written about Hamlet
3. Macbeth: Ambition Gone Wrong
Why it’s essential: This is Shakespeare’s most intense psychological study of power, ambition, and guilt. It’s also his shortest tragedy, making it perfect for readers who want maximum impact in minimum time.
What makes it great: Macbeth starts as a war hero and becomes a murderous tyrant, but Shakespeare makes you understand exactly how it happened. Lady Macbeth’s manipulation, the witches’ prophecies, and Macbeth’s own fatal flaw create a perfect storm of destruction.
Perfect for: Anyone interested in political dramas, psychological thrillers, or stories about the corrupting nature of power.
Modern connections: Every political thriller from House of Cards to Game of Thrones uses Macbeth’s playbook. The “out damned spot” scene has become shorthand for overwhelming guilt.
Next steps: Check out our detailed Macbeth analysis or see all Macbeth content
4. A Midsummer Night’s Dream: Shakespeare’s Comedy Masterpiece
Why it’s essential: Not all Shakespeare is tragedy and death! This magical comedy proves that Shakespeare could be just as brilliant with humor, romance, and pure entertainment.
What makes it great: Four young lovers get lost in a forest where fairies meddle in their relationships using love potions. Meanwhile, a group of amateur actors rehearse a terrible play. Chaos, mistaken identities, and laugh-out-loud moments ensue.
Perfect for: Anyone who thinks Shakespeare is too serious, readers who enjoy romantic comedies, people looking for Shakespeare’s lighter side.
Modern connections: Every romantic comedy with magical elements, mistaken identities, or multiple couples sorting out their relationships borrows from this play. It’s been adapted into everything from Disney movies to modern rom-coms.
Go deeper: Our complete Midsummer Night’s Dream guide has everything you need, or explore all our Midsummer Night’s Dream insights
5. Othello: A Timeless Study of Jealousy and Manipulation
Why it’s essential: This tragedy feels incredibly modern in its exploration of racism, manipulation, and how easily trust can be destroyed. Iago is one of literature’s greatest villains.
What makes it great: Shakespeare takes the simple story of a jealous husband and creates a complex examination of how prejudice, insecurity, and manipulation can destroy lives. Iago’s manipulation of Othello is masterful and terrifying.
Perfect for: Readers interested in social issues, anyone who wants to understand how manipulation works, people looking for Shakespeare’s most psychologically realistic characters.
Modern connections: Every story about toxic relationships, workplace manipulation, or the destructive power of jealousy draws from Othello. The dynamics feel completely contemporary.
Keep exploring: Our in-depth Othello guide covers everything, plus check out all our Othello discussions
How to Read These Plays (And Actually Enjoy Them)
Watch first, read second: Seeing these plays performed (even on YouTube) helps you understand the rhythm and flow before tackling the text
Focus on the story: Don’t get bogged down in every unfamiliar word. Follow the plot and characters – the language will start making sense.
Remember they’re meant to be seen: These aren’t novels – they’re scripts meant for performance. Imagine the action and dialogue happening on stage.
Why These Five Matter
These plays represent everything Shakespeare does best: unforgettable characters, timeless themes, gorgeous language, and stories that still feel relevant today. Master these five, and you’ll understand why Shakespeare remains the most performed playwright in history.
More importantly, you’ll discover that Shakespeare isn’t some dusty academic requirement – he’s a writer who understood human nature so well that his insights still ring true 400 years later.
Ready to dive deeper? Each of these plays has spawned countless adaptations, analyses, and modern retellings. Once you’ve read the originals, you’ll start seeing Shakespeare’s influence everywhere – from blockbuster movies to popular songs to everyday expressions we use without thinking.
Shakespeare makes life better because he helps us understand ourselves and each other. These five plays are your gateway to that understanding.