Love him or hate him, Shakespeare has had a profound influence on the arts. His plays and characters are some of the most adapted or repurposed works of literature. Many of Shakespeare’s works are considered timeless, not necessarily because of the writing but because of the themes and concepts they espoused. 36 plays have been credited to Shakespeare. Of that number, here are 5 that you should be familiar with.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream: The Original Rom-Com
The oft-adapted love story of 4 young Athenians (yes, this play is set in Greece) whose lives get all messed up thanks to the magical manipulation of a goofy side character who is far more interesting than the actual main cast. Honestly, sounds like a Disney movie if I’m being honest.
Midsummer has a little bit of everything. There’s comedy from the mechanicals (especially Nick Bottom), drama and romance from the 4 main lovers, a little action when Helena and Hermia fight, and a good amount of magic from Puck and Oberon.
Overall, it’s a pleasant, enjoyable play that stokes the imagination and lightens the spirit. Best of all, it can be enjoyed by anyone of any age, so it’s excellent to read or watch with your children (assuming you have any).
Twelfth Night: Shakespeare’s Drag Race
Those less literally magical than Midsummer, Twelfth Night has been enchanting audiences for decades. Samuel Pepys, an English writer and politician, called it a “silly play”, though he saw it three times. And, in all fairness, it is a “silly play”. But, then again, is there really anything wrong with that?
While it can be said that the arts exist to challenge convention, there’s no rule that says that’s all that they can do. Sometimes art just exists to entertain. And that’s what Twelfth Night does.
Of course, that’s not to say it doesn’t provide some level of social commentary. After all, the main character is a woman who dresses up as a man, which opens the door to several interesting conversations. As such, Twelfth Night fulfills both aspects of art: it makes you think and it entertains you. Pretty good for a “silly play”, if you ask me.
Macbeth: The Cursed Scottish Play
Perhaps the most famous of Shakespeare’s plays, Macbeth is a weighty tale, delving into some of the dark aspects of humanity. How far are you willing to go to achieve your ambitions? And, are you willing to pay the price to do so?
Like Midsummer, Macbeth has a magical element to the story. The three witches have commonly been reimagined across the years. Though they provide the magical push that helps Macbeth gain power, it is also their work that helps to bring him low. Fate is a fickle mistress.
Magic aside, Macbeth is a play that illustrates the corrupting influence of power and the fragility of tyranny. It demonstrates that just because you want something, it doesn’t necessarily mean you should have it.
Othello: When the High School Bully Wins
First things first, “Moor” as a word refers to someone who is Muslim. More specifically, it refers to someone who is Muslim and from Maghreb, al-Andalus, Sicily, or Malta, all of which are along the Mediterranean. As such, you should be aware that Othello and all other characters who are described as “Moorish” are of darker complexion. I hope this helps.
Now, putting that said, Othello is a riveting tale about political intrigue and horrendous lies. The role of Iago is perhaps one of the greatest villainous parts that has ever been written. He masterfully manages to manipulate everyone, destroying the lives of at least 4 different people, and all because of his petty jealousy.
The play demonstrates how little lies and subtle hints can be utterly devastating to the world. At a time like this, with so much misinformation floating around, Othello is perhaps the most important example of what can happen if you blindly listen to the falsehoods of others.
Henry VIII: Long Live the Queen
King Henry is one of history’s most explored individuals. His actions have been dissected by historians, authors, playwrights, screenwriters, and even a few poets. Shakespeare was no exception.
The Famous History of the Life of King Henry the Eighth delves, partially, into the intrigue surrounding King Henry’s many marriages (although only two are mentioned in the play). It also provides social commentary on subjects such as power politics, infidelity, and the abuse of women that are, quite unfortunately, still relevant today.
Despite being named after the king, the play features, perhaps, the greatest role for a woman in any Shakespeare play. Queen Katherine is regal, honorable, and wholly admirable. If for nothing else, you should read this play for her scenes alone.
