Readers Respond: Your Pick of the Best Plays by Shakespeare

Shakespeare left behind so many literary masterpieces. I’ve compiled the Top 5 plays by Shakespeare which includes the "big name" plays; few people would disagree that Hamlet should be in a Top 5 list, for example.

But here, I want you to share your own favorite from the list of Shakespeare plays and explain why you love it.

Shakespeare's best play

I still prefer King Lear. Great story, great character development. Blaker than black villains and heroes that are not so white. The world turned upsidedown where wise men are fools and fools speak words of wisdom: 'Speak what we feel not what we ought to say'. Goneril and reagen are probably among my favourite female characters in Shakespeare overriding even Lady Macbeth who seems abit two one - dimensional: Pure naked ambition and nothing more; although the thre characters definitely share some blood ties but would probably end up murdering each other if they met! Funnily enough, Lear himself is probably one of my least favourite chaaracters of the play, and I find it difficult to sympathise with him after the way he treats Cordelia. 'A man more sinned against than sinning'? I think not, he brings his downfall upon his own crownless head. King Lear also contains the most tragic and heart rending finale of all the plays in the canon: 'Those that are young shall never see so much

—Guest Brabantio

Twelfth Night

It is interesting to me that 4 of your top 5 are tragedies. THey are wonderful plays. But for me some of the so-called commedies have so much more depth, character development and pathos. 12th Night, Much Ado, Measure for Measure and Winter's Tale and even Midsummer Night's Dream have so much more honest emotion and less violence. But I also love Richard III and that is certainly a play with violence!

—PrBlake1

A Midsummer Night's Dream

First, great list, great website and great discussion! But I have to add a vote for Midsummer. First of all Shakespeare's works, easily the most accesible to todays audiences, of all ages. Brilliantly written with Kings and Queens, a Fairy court, and also with simple, buffonish workmen, it is truly a play that enages, engrosses and delights.

—Guest J.T. Turner

Losing/Loosing

Under the entry for "Hamlet," "loosing his own son," should be, "losing his own son." Oh, and Will's greatest play is "Henry V." :-]

—Guest Bud Koenemund