The Most Popular Shakespeare Play, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the play you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 30, 2024 06:48
In English literature classes around the world, teachers often debate which of Shakespeare's plays should be introduced to students first. Ranking these plays based on popularity could provide a clear guide on where to start, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding from the outset. This insight is particularly valuable for new readers who can be both intrigued and overwhelmed by the depth of themes and language in Shakespeare's works.
This ranking system allows literature enthusiasts and students alike to express their preferences and experiences with Shakespeare's plays. By participating in the voting process, users contribute to a broader communal perspective, highlighting which plays resonate most powerfully with today’s audiences. Thus, the list not only reflects historical significance but also current cultural relevance.
What Is the Most Popular Shakespeare Play?
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168votes
Ford Madox Brown · Public domainRomeo and Juliet
William ShakespeareThis tragic love story has been a favorite of audiences for centuries, with its timeless themes of passion, family conflict, and fate.Romeo and Juliet is a tragedy written by English playwright William Shakespeare, believed to be one of his most famous works. The play tells the story of two young lovers from feuding families in Verona, Italy, who ultimately meet a tragic end due to the ongoing conflict between their families. Their love is passionate, intense, and marked by a series of dramatic events.- Themes: Love, Fate, Family Conflict
- Number of Acts: 5
- Genre: Tragedy
- Setting: Verona, Italy
- Year: 1597
Romeo and Juliet in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular lovers in the world
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful couple call sign
- Position 4 of 10 in Most beautiful ballet performance
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular Dire Straits song
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219votesThis complex play explores the themes of revenge, madness, and mortality, and features one of Shakespeare's most iconic characters.Hamlet is one of the most challenging roles in theatre and literature. It is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare, featuring the complex character of Prince Hamlet.
- Genre: Tragedy
- Year of Publication: 1603
- Setting: Elsinore, Denmark
- Number of Acts: 5
- Length: Approximately 4 hours
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328votesThis dark and bloody tragedy tells the story of a Scottish nobleman who becomes consumed by ambition and power, and ultimately meets a tragic end.Macbeth is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare in the early 17th century. It follows the story of Macbeth, a Scottish nobleman who becomes consumed by his ambition for power. As he rises to the throne, Macbeth is haunted by guilt and paranoia, leading to his ultimate downfall.
- Genre: Tragedy
- Setting: Scotland
- Main Themes: Ambition, Guilt, Betrayal
- Protagonist: Macbeth
- Antagonist: Macbeth's own ambition
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419votesThis play explores themes of jealousy, betrayal, and racism, and features some of Shakespeare's most memorable characters.Othello is a tragic play written by William Shakespeare. It tells the story of a Moorish general, Othello, who becomes consumed by jealousy and is manipulated into believing that his wife, Desdemona, has been unfaithful to him. The play explores themes of love, betrayal, racism, and the destructive power of jealousy.
- Genre: Tragedy
- First Performance: 1604
- Setting: Venice and Cyprus
- Number of Acts: 5
- Language: English
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515votes
A Midsummer Night's Dream
William ShakespeareThis comedic play features a whimsical cast of characters, including fairies, lovers, and a group of amateur actors.A Midsummer Night's Dream is a comedic play by William Shakespeare. It explores the themes of love, illusion, and fantasy through intertwined storylines involving enchanted forests and magical beings. The play follows the adventures of four young lovers, a group of amateur actors, and the fairies who manipulate them. As they all cross paths in the forest on a midsummer night, chaos ensues, resulting in mistaken identities, comedic misunderstandings, and humorous situations.- Genre: Comedy
- Setting: Athens and a magical forest
- Characters: Theseus, Hippolyta, Hermia, Lysander, Helena, Demetrius, Puck, Oberon, Titania, and more
- Themes: Love, illusion, fantasy, dreams
- Structure: Five acts
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611votes
Twelfth Night
William ShakespeareThis play is known for its witty dialogue, mistaken identity, and themes of love and deception.Twelfth Night is a comedic play written by William Shakespeare. The story revolves around the twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated in a shipwreck. Viola disguises herself as a man named Cesario and falls in love with Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia. However, Olivia falls in love with Cesario, unaware of Viola's true identity. The play explores themes of mistaken identities, love, and the comedic chaos that ensues.- Genre: Comedy
- Setting: Illyria
- Date of Composition: Between 1601 and 1602
- First Performance: February 2, 1602
- Number of Acts: 5
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712votes
John William Waterhouse · Public domainThe Tempest
William ShakespeareThis play features magic, romance, and themes of forgiveness and redemption, and is considered one of Shakespeare's final and most personal works.The Tempest is a play written by William Shakespeare, believed to be one of his final works, and is classified as a tragicomedy. The play tells the story of Prospero, the rightful Duke of Milan, who has been exiled to a remote island with his daughter Miranda. Using magic, Prospero manipulates the elements and the other characters on the island to seek revenge, regain his position, and ultimately find reconciliation.- Genre: Tragicomedy
- First performed: 1611
- Setting: A remote island
- Themes: Colonialism, power, revenge, forgiveness
- Protagonist: Prospero
The Tempest in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult Shakespeare play
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86votes
William Dyce · Public domainThis tragic play explores themes of family, power, and madness, and features some of Shakespeare's most memorable characters.King Lear in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most difficult Shakespeare play
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult role to play
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous tragic hero
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98votes
Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domainJulius Caesar
William ShakespeareThis historical play tells the story of the assassination of Julius Caesar and the fallout that follows, including a civil war and the rise of a new leader.Julius Caesar is a tragedy play written by William Shakespeare. It portrays the conspiracy against and assassination of Roman dictator Julius Caesar, as well as its aftermath. The play explores themes of power, loyalty, friendship, betrayal, and the consequences of political ambition.- Genre: Tragedy
- Date of Composition: 1599-1600
- Setting: Ancient Rome
- Number of Acts: 5
- Protagonist: Julius Caesar
Julius Caesar in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Caesar
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous conqueror
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous historical person
- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous ambidextrous person
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous deceased person
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous Italian person
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103votesThis comedic play features witty banter, romantic misunderstandings, and themes of love and deception.
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular play
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Performed frequencySome of Shakespeare's plays are more frequently performed than others, which indicates their popularity among theatre companies and audiences.
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Box office successThe box office revenue generated by a play is a good indication of its popularity among audiences.
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Critical acclaimShakespearean plays that have received positive reviews from theatre critics or literary scholars may be considered more popular than those with less favorable reviews.
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Cultural significanceSome of Shakespeare's plays have had a significant impact on popular culture, influencing other writers, filmmakers, and artists.
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The dynamics around the theme of the playSome plays might resonate more with contemporary issues that may make them more popular or appealing to audiences.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular Shakespeare play. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or game is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1653 views
- 189 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each game once every 24 hours. The rank of each game is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular shakespeare play
William Shakespeare is one of the most renowned playwrights in the world, and his works continue to captivate audiences to this day. With over 38 plays attributed to him, it can be difficult to determine which of his works is the most popular. However, through the years, certain plays have stood out as audience favorites. From romantic comedies like "A Midsummer Night's Dream" to tragic tales like "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare's plays have something for everyone. At StrawPoll, we've compiled data from thousands of polls to determine which Shakespeare play is the most popular among fans. Read on to discover the top picks and see if your favorite made the list.
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