The Plays

William Shakespeare is credited with having written 37 plays, starting with Henry VI, Part 1 in 1589, and continuing through The Tempest in 1611. He was the master of an incredible range of genres. From the classic tragedies of Hamlet and King Lear to the bawdy The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare wrote plays that evoked emotions of sorrow, pity, mirth, and wonder in his audience.

To read or study these remarkable works online, select a play from the pull-down menu at the top of the page.