Shakespeare: Plays, Characters & Famous Quotes

Born 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon; died 1616

The open-air London playhouse built in 1599 by Shakespeare's company, where many of his plays were first performed.

The Lord Chamberlain's Men, renamed the King's Men in 1603 when James I became their patron.

About 37–39 plays (scholars count collaborations differently) and 154 sonnets

The first collected edition of Shakespeare's plays, put together after his death by fellow actors John Heminges and Henry Condell. It preserved about 18 plays that might otherwise be lost.

Unrhymed iambic pentameter. Shakespeare's nobles usually speak in verse, while servants and comic characters often speak in prose.

14 lines: three quatrains and a final couplet, rhymed ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, often with a turn (volta) before the couplet.

A soliloquy is a speech a character gives alone on stage, revealing their thoughts. An aside is a short remark to the audience that other characters on stage don't hear.

A tragic hero's fatal flaw or error that leads to their downfall, such as Macbeth's ambition or Othello's jealousy.

Prince Hamlet of Denmark learns from his father's ghost that his uncle Claudius murdered the king and married his mother Gertrude. Hamlet delays revenge, and nearly everyone dies by the end.

Hamlet's soliloquy on life, death and suicide (Act 3).

Polonius, in Hamlet. The first line is ironic because he talks too much.

Three witches prophesy that Macbeth will be king of Scotland. Pushed by Lady Macbeth, he murders King Duncan, then kills more to keep power, and is killed by Macduff.

“Out, damned spot! Out, I say!”

Verona, Italy; the Montagues (Romeo) and the Capulets (Juliet)

“Why are you Romeo?” (why must you be a Montague), not “where are you?”

His ensign Iago, who convinces him that his wife Desdemona is unfaithful with Cassio, using a planted handkerchief.

Lear divides his kingdom among his daughters based on their flattery, rewarding Goneril and Regan and banishing honest Cordelia.

Caesar says “Et tu, Brute?” as Brutus stabs him. Mark Antony gives the “Friends, Romans, countrymen” funeral speech.

Puck is the mischievous fairy who causes chaos with a love potion; Bottom is the weaver whose head Puck turns into a donkey's.

A pound of Antonio's flesh if a loan is not repaid. Portia, disguised as a lawyer, defeats the claim.

The exiled Duke of Milan, a magician on an island with his daughter Miranda, Ariel and Caliban. Often seen as Shakespeare's farewell to the stage.

Twelfth Night

Spoken by Jaques in the “seven ages of man” speech.

The speaker says the beloved will live forever in the poem.