These top iconic dramas by Shakespeare are a must-read

Dramas penned by Shakespeare have stood the test of time, and the strong themes still enchant the readers. Here we bring to you a list of the top iconic dramas by Shakespeare. Take a look at the list.

Mar 11, 2024, 08:29 IST
These top iconic dramas by Shakespeare are a must-read
These top iconic dramas by Shakespeare are a must-read

If there is any human-made thing in the world that has stood the test of time is literature, especially written by playwrights like Shakespeare. Yes, the play written by William Shakespeare has never failed to captivate audiences across centuries. The rich language, intricate plots, and lasting themes are the reasons why people still pick the plays of Shakespeare in libraries. Today, we bring to you the list comprising the names of some of the best plays written by William Shakespeare.

 

Hamlet

 

This one undoubtedly is the favorite of those who love weeping while reading. It takes the readers to jump from one theme to another, exploring the worlds of morality, revenge, and madness. The play makes the reader step into the world of Prince Hamlet as he struggles to avenge the murder of his father while also struggling with his own existential crisis. Hamlet stands as a prominent psychological drama that remains a top pick for many readers even today.

 

Romeo and Juliet

 

This one is one of the most prominent works of Shakespeare. The play takes the readers to the lives of two young and passionate lovers coming from feuding families. The conclusion? A tragic ending to their love. The backdrop of the play is set in Verona, Italy. The timeless play takes the readers through extreme themes of fate, love, and the results of impulsive acts in life. The poetic language of the play is what makes it a memorable pick. The strong characters of the play, like the lovestruck nature of the main protagonists, Romeo and Juliet, never miss to hit the right chord.

 

King Lear

 

In love with tragedy? King Lear is the one for you. The play takes the readers through themes of power, madness, and power. The aging King Lear makes him come closer to the decision of dividing his kingdom among his daughters. This division of power among the three daughters leads to greed, betrayal, and the eventual downfall of the king himself. The journey of the king leads him to humility from extreme arrogance. The play provides strong insights into how complex human relations can be.

 

Othello

 

This is the favorite of those who love reading dark themes of deception and jealousy. Othello digs deep into themes such as destructive powers and race identity. The play takes the reader through the life of Moorish general Othello. The man has been manipulated into believing that Desdemona, his wife, has been unfaithful to him. This makes Othello filled with jealousy, act with jealousy, and live with jealousy. Indeed, this one is a masterpiece that explores negative human feelings of prejudice and jealousy.

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Antony and Cleopatra

 

This one is a favorite of those who love the amalgamation of love and politics. Antony and Cleopatra are set in the times of the ancient world. The tale is all about the tumultuous bond between the Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the Roman general Mark Antony. The two walk through the complexities of passion and power. The tragic romance of Antony and Cleopatra brings to the picture a strong portrayal of two strong icons in history.

 

Julius Caesar

 

Julius Caesar stands as one of the most prominent plays of Shakespeare. It is a political drama that dives deep into themes such as loyalty, betrayal, and ruthless ambition. The play is set in ancient Rome. It is based on the assassination of Julius Caesar and the aftermath of the demise as Rome fell into chaos, Julius Caesar undoubtedly stands as a compelling and relevant piece of literature even today. It delves into power dynamics and displays themes such as how public opinion is manipulated by the people in power.

 

Macbeth

 

This one in the list is special, as it makes the reader step into the strong themes of power and strong ambition. The storyline is set in the backdrop of Scotland. The play involves a titular character to commits murder blindfolded with ruthless ambition. The play throws light on the results of evil acts and blind ambition.

 

The iconic dramas of Shakespeare were not only relevant to his own times but also continue to enchant the present and future generations to come. The timeless themes and the passionate writing are what make these plays important even today.

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Astha Pasricha
Astha Pasricha

Content Writer

    Astha Pasricha is a content writing professional with experience in writing rich and engaging content for websites, blogs, and chatbots. She is a graduate of Journalism and Mass Communication and English Honors. She has previously worked with organizations like Groomefy, Shiksha.com, Upside Me, EGlobal Soft Solutions and Codeflies Technologies Pvt. Ltd. At Jagran Josh, she writes content for the General Knowledge section. You can reach her at astha.pasricha@jagrannewmedia.com.
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