Shakespeare: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Iambic Pentameter
Iambic pentameter is the meter that Shakespeare nearly always used when writing in verse. This guide tells you everything you need to know about iambic pentameter. Read on.
Iambic pentameter is the meter that Shakespeare nearly always used when writing in verse. This guide tells you everything you need to know about iambic pentameter. Read on.
Know Your Shakespeare Quotations?
Do you really know your shakespeare quotations? Your 'Hamlet' from your 'Macbeth'? Your 'Winter's Tale' from your 'Coriolanus'? Well, now's your chance to put it to the test with our shakespeare quotations quiz. Good Luck!
Do you really know your shakespeare quotations? Your 'Hamlet' from your 'Macbeth'? Your 'Winter's Tale' from your 'Coriolanus'? Well, now's your chance to put it to the test with our shakespeare quotations quiz. Good Luck!
Sonnet 18 - Study Guide
In our Study Guide to Sonnet 18: Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?, you'll find everything you need to understand this classic sonnet.
In our Study Guide to Sonnet 18: Shall I Compare Thee to a Summer's Day?, you'll find everything you need to understand this classic sonnet.
Biography
Who was William Shakespeare? Amazingly, historians know very little about his life. This biography looks at the surviving evidence and paints a picture of the world’s most famous playwright.
Who was William Shakespeare? Amazingly, historians know very little about his life. This biography looks at the surviving evidence and paints a picture of the world’s most famous playwright.
'Hamlet' Study Guide
Your ultimate study guide to Shakespeare's longest play. Find out why 'Hamlet' has stood the test of time and is considered to be one of the best plays ever written.
Your ultimate study guide to Shakespeare's longest play. Find out why 'Hamlet' has stood the test of time and is considered to be one of the best plays ever written.
Common Phrases
You have probably quoted Shakespeare thousands of times without realizing it. His writing lives on in our everyday language - testament to his powerful influence over the English language.
You have probably quoted Shakespeare thousands of times without realizing it. His writing lives on in our everyday language - testament to his powerful influence over the English language.
Shakespeare for Beginners
Are you a Shakespeare newbie? Discover the Bard for the first time with our Shakespeare for Beginners FAQ.
Are you a Shakespeare newbie? Discover the Bard for the first time with our Shakespeare for Beginners FAQ.
'Hamlet' Summary
This condensed version of 'Hamlet' captures the essence of Shakespeare’s longest play.
This condensed version of 'Hamlet' captures the essence of Shakespeare’s longest play.
Other Themes in 'Hamlet'
Find out why the state of Denmark, sexuality, incest and uncertainty are all important themes in 'Hamlet'.
Find out why the state of Denmark, sexuality, incest and uncertainty are all important themes in 'Hamlet'.
Female Characters
This guide looks at the most common types of female characters in Shakespeare's plays from the "bawdy woman" to the "scheming femme fatal"
This guide looks at the most common types of female characters in Shakespeare's plays from the "bawdy woman" to the "scheming femme fatal"
Scene Breakdown
A scene-by-scene breakdown for the greatest love story ever told.
A scene-by-scene breakdown for the greatest love story ever told.
Theater Experience
Exploring the context of Shakespeare's theater gives you a fuller understanding of his plays. Shakespeare wasn't writing for today's literary audience; he was writing for the masses, many of whom couldn't read or write.
Exploring the context of Shakespeare's theater gives you a fuller understanding of his plays. Shakespeare wasn't writing for today's literary audience; he was writing for the masses, many of whom couldn't read or write.
'Macbeth' Quiz - How well do you know 'Macbeth'?
Do you know 'Macbeth' inside out? Well, now's your chance to put it to the test with our Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' quiz. Good Luck!
Do you know 'Macbeth' inside out? Well, now's your chance to put it to the test with our Shakespeare's 'Macbeth' quiz. Good Luck!
Shakespeare Popular
Why has Shakespeare been popular for over 400 years? We look at the secret to his success.
Why has Shakespeare been popular for over 400 years? We look at the secret to his success.
Women in Shakespeare
Discover how women are presented in Shakespeare's plays and what this says about the Bard's view of women and their status in Elizabethan and Jacobean society.
Discover how women are presented in Shakespeare's plays and what this says about the Bard's view of women and their status in Elizabethan and Jacobean society.
Sonnet 18
Read the complete text to Sonnet 18
Read the complete text to Sonnet 18
Romeo and Juliet Guide
Our 'Romeo and Juliet' summary is the best place to kick-start your study of Shakespeare's best loved play. Find out why 'Romeo and Juliet' has been so enduring.
Our 'Romeo and Juliet' summary is the best place to kick-start your study of Shakespeare's best loved play. Find out why 'Romeo and Juliet' has been so enduring.
Hamlet Plot
A scene-by-scene breakdown for Shakespeare’s longest play
A scene-by-scene breakdown for Shakespeare’s longest play
How to Read Shakespeare Aloud
Shakespeare made reading his plays aloud as easy as possible. Everything an actor needs is right there in the dialogue – you just need to know what you’re looking for
Shakespeare made reading his plays aloud as easy as possible. Everything an actor needs is right there in the dialogue – you just need to know what you’re looking for
Renaissance
Discover how Shakespeare was a product of his time and how living in renaissance England influenced his writing.
Discover how Shakespeare was a product of his time and how living in renaissance England influenced his writing.
Shakespeare Words
Shakespeare’s words and phrases are easier to understand than one might think. This month our "Teaching Shakespeare" Columnist translates Shakespeare’s words for newcomers.
Shakespeare’s words and phrases are easier to understand than one might think. This month our "Teaching Shakespeare" Columnist translates Shakespeare’s words for newcomers.
Play Study Guides
Our collection of play study guides are designed to accompany your own reading of Shakespeare’s plays. They are an ideal way to introduce newcomers and immerse more experienced readers deeper into the texts.
Our collection of play study guides are designed to accompany your own reading of Shakespeare’s plays. They are an ideal way to introduce newcomers and immerse more experienced readers deeper into the texts.
Audition Etiquette
Auditioning for a Shakespeare play? Read our tips on audition etiquette beforehand and land the part.
Auditioning for a Shakespeare play? Read our tips on audition etiquette beforehand and land the part.
Hamlet Character Profile
Hamlet is arguably Shakespeare’s most complex character. Explore Hamlet’s emotional turmoil in our Hamlet character profile.
Hamlet is arguably Shakespeare’s most complex character. Explore Hamlet’s emotional turmoil in our Hamlet character profile.
Major Themes in Much Ado
An analysis of the major themes in Much Ado About Nothing.
An analysis of the major themes in Much Ado About Nothing.
Performing Shakespeare
Ben Crystal is the author of 'Shakespeare on Toast', a new book that dispels the myth that Shakespeare is difficult. Here, he shares his thoughts about performing Shakespeare and reveals his top tips for first-time actors.
Ben Crystal is the author of 'Shakespeare on Toast', a new book that dispels the myth that Shakespeare is difficult. Here, he shares his thoughts about performing Shakespeare and reveals his top tips for first-time actors.
Teaching Shakespeare
Share your top tips for teaching Shakespeare with English and drama educators from around the world.
Share your top tips for teaching Shakespeare with English and drama educators from around the world.
Death in 'Hamlet'
Discover how the theme of death permeates ‘Hamlet’ from the very start.
Discover how the theme of death permeates ‘Hamlet’ from the very start.
How to Speak Verse
In the first of a regular series, Duncan Fewins shows you how to bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom and drama studio. We start with a practical approach to an old question: how do you speak Shakespearian verse?
In the first of a regular series, Duncan Fewins shows you how to bring Shakespeare to life in the classroom and drama studio. We start with a practical approach to an old question: how do you speak Shakespearian verse?
Love in 'Romeo and Juliet'
'Romeo and Juliet' has become forever associated with love. But Shakespeare's treatment of this theme is complex and multifaceted.
'Romeo and Juliet' has become forever associated with love. But Shakespeare's treatment of this theme is complex and multifaceted.
Fate in 'Romeo and Juliet'
Are Romeo and Juliet fated to fall in love and die from the very start? Discover how fate permeates the events and speeches of 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Are Romeo and Juliet fated to fall in love and die from the very start? Discover how fate permeates the events and speeches of 'Romeo and Juliet'.
Who Wrote Shakespeare?
Shakespeare's true identity is in dispute. Explore the main theories surrounding the Shakespeare authorship debate and reach your own conclusion on who wrote Shakespeare.
Shakespeare's true identity is in dispute. Explore the main theories surrounding the Shakespeare authorship debate and reach your own conclusion on who wrote Shakespeare.
Much Ado Study Guide
In our Much Ado About Nothing Study Guide, you'll find everything you need to understand this Shakespearean classic.
In our Much Ado About Nothing Study Guide, you'll find everything you need to understand this Shakespearean classic.
Plot Summary for Much Ado
A plot summary and scene-by-scene breakdown of Much Ado About Nothing.
A plot summary and scene-by-scene breakdown of Much Ado About Nothing.
prose
Shakespeare moved between verse and prose in his writing to give his characters more depth and vary the overall rhythmic structure of his plays. His treatment of prose is as skillful as his verse.
Shakespeare moved between verse and prose in his writing to give his characters more depth and vary the overall rhythmic structure of his plays. His treatment of prose is as skillful as his verse.
Characters in Much Ado
Who's who in Much Ado? Read our character profiles here.
Who's who in Much Ado? Read our character profiles here.
Shakespeare Quotations Quiz Results
Thanks for taking our Shakespeare quotations quiz.
Thanks for taking our Shakespeare quotations quiz.
Juliet - A Character Profile
Romeo and Juliet are literature's most famous lovers. Read our character profile of Juliet here.
Romeo and Juliet are literature's most famous lovers. Read our character profile of Juliet here.
Benedick's Speech
An audition speech from Much Ado About Nothing
An audition speech from Much Ado About Nothing
Shakespeare Interpretation
This month our columnist shows you how to develop your Shakespeare Interpretation Skills.
This month our columnist shows you how to develop your Shakespeare Interpretation Skills.
How to Prepare a Soliloquy
This month our columnist shows you how to develop the perfect Shakespeare soliloquy.
This month our columnist shows you how to develop the perfect Shakespeare soliloquy.
Other Characters
Who's who in Romeo and Juliet? Read our character profiles here.
Who's who in Romeo and Juliet? Read our character profiles here.
Romeo - A Character Profile
Romeo and Juliet are literature's most famous lovers. Read our character profile of Romeo here.
Romeo and Juliet are literature's most famous lovers. Read our character profile of Romeo here.
Sonnet 20
A Woman's Face with Nature's own Hand Painted. Read the complete text here.
A Woman's Face with Nature's own Hand Painted. Read the complete text here.
'Macbeth' Quiz Results
Thanks for taking our Macbeth quiz.: sans serif font quiz results document url body background macbeth
Thanks for taking our Macbeth quiz.: sans serif font quiz results document url body background macbeth
No Fear Shakespeare
Duncan Fewins speaks to About.com about overcoming your fear of Shakespeare.
Duncan Fewins speaks to About.com about overcoming your fear of Shakespeare.
Shakespeare's Heritage
Dr. Diana Owen, director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, speaks to About.com about the importance of preserving Shakespeare’s heritage.
Dr. Diana Owen, director of the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, speaks to About.com about the importance of preserving Shakespeare’s heritage.
Holy Trinity Church
Shakespeare was buried in Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church, where you can still visit his grave and read his epitaph.
Shakespeare was buried in Stratford-upon-Avon's Holy Trinity Church, where you can still visit his grave and read his epitaph.
Shakespeare's Birthday
Want to throw your own Shakespeare birthday party? Here’s our top 5 ways to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday.
Want to throw your own Shakespeare birthday party? Here’s our top 5 ways to celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday.
Sonnet 19
Read the complete text to Sonnet 19
Read the complete text to Sonnet 19
Biography for Duncan Fewins
Biography for our 'Teaching Shakespeare' Columnist, Duncan Fewins
Biography for our 'Teaching Shakespeare' Columnist, Duncan Fewins
The Cobbe Portrait
The Cobbe portrait is considered to be the only authentic image of Shakespeare made during his lifetime, and is considered to be the original painting from which today’s iconic image of the Bard was copied.
The Cobbe portrait is considered to be the only authentic image of Shakespeare made during his lifetime, and is considered to be the original painting from which today’s iconic image of the Bard was copied.
Shakespeare - Articles
An index of articles for the Shakespeare guide site.
An index of articles for the Shakespeare guide site.