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Shakespeare: Most Popular Articles

These articles are the most popular over the last month.
To be, or not to be...
A detailed examination of Hamlet's most famous speech, To be, or not to be: that is the question.
This too too solid flesh...
Detailed annotations and commentary on Hamlet's first soliloquy - O, that this too too solid flesh would melt (1.2.131-61).
Shakespeare's Influence
Shakespeare's influence on our language, from your Mining Co. Guide
Shakespeare's Characters
A complete list of Shakespeare's characters, from your About.com Guide
A Guide to Sonnet 18
A detailed examination of Shakespeare's Sonnet 18: Shall I Compare thee to a summer's day, with annotations, glossary, paraphrase into contemporary English, and critical analysis.
The Shakespeare Glossary
A comprehensive Shakespeare glossary, full of entries not found elsewhere on the web
How Shakespeare Died
What caused the death of Shakespeare?
Iambic Pentameter
Everything you need to know about Shakespeare's primary meter: iambic pentameter.
Shakespearean Sonnet Basics
Everything you need to know about the style and meter of Shakespeare's sonnets. What is iambic pentameter? Which three sonnets are not like the others? What is the difference between a Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnet? All the answers are right here.
Balcony Scene
The complete text of the balcony scene from Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, with detailed explanatory notes for each key phrase and line.
A Guide to Sonnet 130
An in-depth examination of Shakespeare's Sonnet 130, with annotations, a paraphrase in contemporary English, and analysis. Everything you need to master Sonnet 130.
Shakespeare on Love
A collection of annotated Shakespearean quotations on love, for Valentine's day or any day you want to pay tribute to your special someone.
Play Confusion
How many plays did Shakespeare actually write? Tough question! Find out why...
O, what a rogue...
Detailed annotations and glossary for Hamlet's soliloquy, O, what a rogue and peasant slave am I, Act 2
Shakespeare Timeline
A chronicle of Shakespeare's life from the beginning of the reign of Elizabeth I to the opening of the Globe in London.
Revenge Plot of Hamlet
Your guide to the main revenge plot of Hamlet, with all the key moments in Hamlet's journey for vengeance, and a general introduction to the Renaissance revenge tragedy genre.
Guide to Sonnet 116
An analysis of one of Shakespeare's most popular sonnets. Included is a paraphrase of the poem in contemporary English, full annotations and a commentary.
A Guide to Sonnet 73
An analysis of Shakespeare's inspired sonnet, hailed as one of the best poems in English. Included is a paraphrase of the poem in contemporary English.
Shakespeare Soliloquy Analysis: Major Soliloquies and Speeches in Hamlet and Macbeth
Our analysis of selected solilquies from some of Shakespeare's best-loved plays
Macbeth Overview
An analysis of the key characters in Macbeth - Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Macduff, Banquo, and Duncan.
Shakespeare's Children
Find out about the lives of Shakespeare's children and grandchildren, and learn the identity of the Bard's very last descendant.
How all occasions do inform...
A detailed examination of Hamlet's final speech, How all occasions do inform against me.
If it were done when 'tis done
A scholarly and detailed examination of Macbeth's first soliloquy, complete with extensive annotations and commentary.
Now might I do it pat...
Full glossary of Hamlet's speech, Now might I do it pat, now he is praying.
Globe Theatre
An in-depth look at Shakespeare's most famous theatre, the Globe, including a description of what the inside would have looked like.
Romeo and Juliet Quotes
The most important quotations from Shakespeare's moving tragedy.
Shakespeare Wedding Readings
A selection of wonderful Shakespearean passages to read at your wedding. Annotations are provided!
Shakespearean Quick Facts
A collection of interesting facts about Shakespeare and his works, from the Shakespeare Quote of the Week archives.
Hamlet Overview
Your essential guide to the key characters in Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Shakespeare's Birth Place
Where was Shakespeare born? Find out...
Is this a dagger...
A detailed examination of Macbeth's second soliloquy, complete with extensive annotations and commentary.
Hamlet Character Study
A detailed examination of Shakespeare's greatest tragic character.
A Guide to Sonnet 29
An in-depth examination of Shakespeare's Sonnet 29, with annotations, paraphrase in contemporary English, and analysis.
Shakespeare's Burial
Information on Shakespeare's Burial
To be thus is nothing (3.1)
An analysis of Macbeth's speech, "To be thus is nothing" from Macbeth.
This too too solid flesh...
Commentary on Hamlet's Soliloquy: O, that this too too solid flesh would melt.
A Midsummer Night's Dream
You are going to be an expert after you read our detailed plot summary of Shakespeare’s magical comedy, complete with quotations and line references. Everything you need to know is right here.
Shakespeare's Groundlings
A look at the groundlings who would have attended an original Shakespeare production.
Witching time of night...
Detailed annotations and glossary for Hamlet's Soliloquy, Tis now the very witching time of night (3.2.380-391)
My love is as a fever...
Is Sonnet 147 autobiographical? Did Shakespeare really have an affair with a raven-haired seducer? Come explore this complex poem, complete with annotations and a detailed commentary.
Quotations by Theme and Play
Our ever-expanding collection of Shakespeare's most profound and popular passages.
A Guide to Sonnet 55
A detailed examination of Shakespeare's Sonnet 55, with annotations, a paraphrase in modern English, and commentary.
Annotations
An analysis of Macbeth's final soliloquy, "She should have died hereafter" 5.5.
Shakespeare's Vocabulary
How large was Shakespeare's vocabulary?
Julius Caesar Explained
A comprehensive summary of the play Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, with line references and analysis. Everything a student needs to master Julius Caesar.
Macbeth - Shakespeare's Plays
Shakespeare's play Macbeth, from your About.com Guide
Hamlet - Plot Summary
A detailed synopsis of each scene of Hamlet, including the significance of key lines and passages.
Lady Macbeth
A profile of Shakespeare's Lady Macbeth.
Deception in Hamlet
An examination of the theme of lies and betrayal in Hamlet and a look at how each character, Hamlet, Polonius, Claudius, Laertes, and Fortinbras is skilled in the art of deception.
Shakespeare's Will: Part 1
Information on Shakespeare's will.
Queen Mab - Shakespeare
Did you know Mercutio's speech on Queen Mab sparked the creativity of other great writers like Jonson and Shelley?
Quotations from Macbeth
Famous quotations from Macbeth, for reference or for fun!
Shakespeare's Birth
Find out when Shakespeare was born.
Romeo and Juliet: Top Quotes
Romeo and Juliet is packed with unforgettable quotations that have become a part of present-day culture. Here are the ten most famous of them all.
Guide to Julius Caesar
These study questions by act will help you master Julius Caesar.
Shakespearean Villains
Shakespeare created some of the most memorable evildoers in all of literature. Here are my picks for the most notorious.
Ophelia Character Study
A detailed examination of Ophelia's representation of the dual nature of women and her relationship with Hamlet.
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz
Do you Know Your Macbeth? - A Triva Game
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz
Shakespeare's Life: The Quiz
Gertrude Character Study
A detailed examination of Hamlet's mother, Gertrude, and her relationship with Claudius, Ophelia, and Hamlet himself.
Julius Caesar - Shakespeare's Plays
Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar, from your About.com Guide
The world is my oyster...
Did Shakespeare coin the phrase "the world is my oyster"?
Top Picks - Top 5 Bard Videos to Buy
version 3.0, Some of the most engaging Videos on Shakespeare's life and works...
Shakespeare on Friendship
Advice from Shakespeare on friendship.
Hamlet Subplot: Romance
A guide to the significant events in the Hamlet and Ophelia subplot.
The Ultimate Hamlet Quiz
How Well do you know Hamlet?
Shakespeare Characters A
A comprehensive list of Shakespeare's characters, from your About.com Guide
Shakespeare FAQs - Shakespeare's Words
Questions about Shakespeare
Was Shakespeare Italian?
A discussion of Shakespeare's nationality, from your Mining Co. Guide
Julius Caesar (Act 3, Scene 2)
The entire Act 3, Scene 2, of Shakespeare's tragedy Julius Caesar, with student resources. Everything you need to succeed.
Who Was the Real Shakespeare?
Who Was the Real Shakespeare?
Claudius Character Study
An in-depth look at Hamlet's uncle Claudius.
Seven Ages of Man
Shakespeare's Seven Ages of Man
Et tu, Brute? (3.1.77)
The context and history of the line "Et tu, Brute?" from Shakespeare's Julius Caesar. Did Shakespeare invent "Et tu, Brute?" or did Caesar really say it?
Shakespeare on Marriage
Shakespeare's most romantic love poetry.
Shakespeare's Sonnets 1-76
Shakespeare's sonnets 77-154, from your About guide.
temperate
Sonnet 18 - temperate
Three Witches: Annotations
Detailed explanatory notes for the speeches of the Weird Sisters (Three Witches) in Act 4 of Shakespeare's Macbeth. So let's round about the cauldron go...
Shakespeare's Impact
Shakespeare influenced every generation of writers since his death and still has an impact on contemporary plays, movies, and poems.
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($100 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($100 Question)
Thou whoreson zed!
A collection of Shakespearean insults for all you rabbit sucking, deboshed fish out there.
Top Quotes: Hamlet
No other single work of fiction has produced more commonly used expressions and well-known passages than Hamlet. It was hard to choose, but here are our picks for the ten most famous quotations of them all.
Introduction to the Sonnets
Essential information on the composition and publication of Shakespeare's sonnets, and the key characters in the narrative: the young man and the dark lady. A guide to themes in selected sonnets is also included.
Sinful Treasure: Sonnet 75
An in-depth examination of Shakespeare's sonnet 75
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($1000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($1000 Question)
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $32,000
How Well do you know Macbeth?
King Lear Study Guide
Information on the most important characters in Shakespeare's King Lear.
But, soft! what light ...
An examination of the passage that begins, But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? From Romeo and Juliet Act 2, the balcony scene.
Top Shakespeare Questions
Here are our most frequently asked questions about Shakespeare.
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($100 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($100 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($500 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($500 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($2000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($2000 Question)
The "Wooden O"
Learn about the "wooden O", London's first public playhouse and early home to Shakespeare's acting troupe, the Chamberlain's Men.
Top Picks - Top 10 Shakespearean Plays
My picks of the top Shakespeare masterpieces ...do you agree?
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($32,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($32,000 question)
Witching time of night...
An examination of Hamlet's soliloquy: Tis now the very witching time of night.
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($200 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($200 Question)
The Ultimate Shakespeare Quiz ($16,000 Question)
Shakespeare's life: Quiz ($16,000 Question)
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $500,000
How Well do you know Macbeth?>
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($64,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($64,000 question)
Shakespeare and the Plotters
A look at Shakespeare's fascinating connection to the Gunpowder Plot.
The Shakespeare Glossary - A
A comprehensive Elizabethan glossary, from your About.com Guide
Shakespeare FAQs - His Birth and Death
Questions about Shakespeare's life and works
Shakespeare on Fate
Call it what you will - fate, fortune, destiny, providence - here is a collection of Shakespeare's most famous quotations on Lady Fortune's wheel.
Julius Caesar (Act 1, Scene 2)
The complete text of Act 1, Scene 2 of Shakespeare's tragedy, Julius Caesar
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $200
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz
Julius Caesar Quotations
Here are some famous quotations from Shakespeare's tragedy, "Julius Caesar"
Shakespeare on Flowers
Shakespearean quotations on flowers.
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $16,000
How Well do you know Macbeth?
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($4000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($4000 Question)
Violence in Shakespeare
Presented here are those characters who meet their ends violently -- those who feel "death's eternal cold" through murder, treason, suicide, and bloody combat.
Quotable Shakespeare: Music
A selection of Shakespearean quotations on music.
Hamlet Subplot: Fortinbras
A detailed examination of all the events in the play surrounding the subplot of the impending war with Norway at the hands of Prince Fortinbras.
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz: $2000 Answer
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz: $2000 Answer
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($1,000,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($1,000,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Language
A look at Old English, Middle English, and Early Modern English, which is the language of Shakespeare.
Duncan
A look at Shakespeare's King Duncan and the changes he made to his character.
He jests at scars
A full explanation of Romeo's line He jests at scars that never felt a wound from Act 2 of Shakespeare's tragedy.
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $125,000
How Well do you know Macbeth?
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $250,000
How Well do you know Macbeth?
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($1000 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($1000 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($125,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($125,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($200 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($200 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($250,000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($250,000 Question)
Blood Imagery in Macbeth
Blood has both symbolic and literal meaning in Macbeth, and so it is one of the major motifs throughout the play.
Was Shakespeare Gay?
Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets, not intended for publication. Many of these sonnets address the poet's love of a young man. But is it romantic love? And if so, are the sonnets autobiographical?
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($500 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($500 Answer)
Hamlet Quotations
The most important quotations from one of Shakespeare's most popular plays, Hamlet.
Shakespeare's Popularity
While most people know that Shakespeare is, in fact, the most popular dramatist and poet the Western world has ever produced, students new to his work often wonder why this is so.
Shakespeare on the Seven Deadly Sins
Find out what Shakespeare has to say about those 7 odious offences.
Pronouncing Shakespearean Names
How to pronounce the names of Shakespeare's characters.
Comedy in "Much Ado About Nothing"
A look at what makes Shakespeare's
Do You Know Your Shakespeare Characters?
Do You Know Your Shakespeare Characters? - A Triva Game
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $1,000,000
How Well do you know Macbeth?
Three Apparitions in Macbeth
A look at the three apparations shown to Macbeth by the Three Weird Sisters (Witches).
slings
An explanation of the phrase "slings and arrows" from Shakespeare's Hamlet, Hamlet's soliloquy Act 3.
Shakespeare on War
Shakespeare's thoughts on war.
Shakespeare on Lust
Find out what Shakespeare has to say about those 7 odious offences.
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($8000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($8000 Question)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($2000 Answer)
Shakespeare's Life: the Quiz ($2000 Answer)
wherefore art thou Romeo?
An explanation of the line, O Romeo, Romeo! wherefore art thou Romeo? from Shakespeare's tragedy.
Diseases in Shakespeare's Time
From a disease standpoint, Shakespeare was living in arguably the worst place and time in history. Shakespeare’s overcrowded, rat infested, sexually promiscuous London, with raw sewage flowing in the Thames, was the hub for the worst diseases known to mankind: Small Pox, Typhus, Syphilis, Malaria, and Plague.
Do You Know Your Shakespeare Quotes?
If music be the food of love, play on;...
The Ultimate Shakespeare Quiz: $8000
The Ultimate Shakespeare Quiz: $8000
dun
Sonnet 130 Glossary - dun
Shakespeare on Sleep
A selection of Shakespearean quotations on blissful slumber, insomnia, and dreams.
outrageous fortune
A look at the meaning of "outrageous fortune" from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
The Ultimate Macbeth Quiz: $4000
How Well do you know Hamlet?
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