100+ Shakespeare Essay Topics

Updated: May 26, 2023
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Most students, more, so literature students are prone to coming across a Shakespeare essay at least once throughout their academic voyage. They contribute a significant point to the final degree program of students hence need to be written with utmost care and preparedness. However, how you draft these papers matters a great deal. Composing a great Shakespearian essay goes beyond only answering the instructions given but entail giving a clear insight into what’s all about the novel in question.

For instance, you need to have a great comprehension ability to read and understand the book. Get to know all the characters, their roles, and how they make the theme of the article successful to the audience. Start your introductory paragraph with a hook to draw the attention of the reader. Here, you will need an attractive opening clause which informs the reader about the topic issue. Do not say much to avoid making your essay monotonous and without flow. Introduce briefly the primary points which support your stance regarding the issue in question.

Lastly, end your first paragraph with a thesis statement which gives the direction and the primary theme of your write-up. The body paragraph should give a detailed explanation of the primary points introduced in the introductory paragraph. Lastly, the conclusion should be brief and concise. Should be approximately 80-100 words giving a summary of the entire content written. With all these tips in place, composing a great Shakespeare essay becomes easier than you think! However, it needs sacrifice and determination to draft while taking note of the concept, scope, theme, and scope as the instructions require.

Need a Trick on How to Select the Best Shakespeare Essay Topic?

Selecting a topic for your essay can sometimes be challenging. However, it is easier than you think. First, you need to start by going through the list of topics provided. Brainstorm the ideas required to help you get started from the list of topics provided. Figure out whether the ideas in mind will enable you to read, understand, and compose the literature.

Moreover, identify whether the topic is manageable and have enough resources to allow you to draft the standard length required. Make a keywords list and make sure you are flexible enough to make changes in case they are needed. Make the final decision select the topic and start researching using credible and scholarly sources.

List of Shakespeare Essay Topics to Simplify Your Work

While selecting a Shakespearian essay topic can be a challenge; you are encouraged to select a topic that you are familiar with to give you ease and compose a top-notch article. Here is a list of topics that may give you an easy time to write an excellent composition.

  • The role of jealousy and revenge in Othello play
  • Reasons why Lago is regarded as persuasive in Othello
  • Romeo and Juliet portrayed as star-cross lovers
  • The parenting style of Juliet and Romeo
  • A Comparison between Belmont and Venice in the Marchant of Venice
  • Shylock as a well-rounded character
  • Portia as a radical feminist
  • The dynamics and setting of the play Julius Caesar
  • Reasons that compelled Brutus to murder Ceasar, a close friend
  • The character traits of Brutus and Anthony in the Julius Caesar play
  • The rise to power and the downfall of Julius Caesar
  • The Theme of love in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Gender crisis in the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream
  • Critiques in King Lear play
  • The significance of death and old age in King Lear Play
  • Ways in which King Lear fits to be a tragic hero
  • The role and importance of the fool in King Lear
  • A Comparison between King Lear and Oedipus Rex
  • Roles of King Rex
  • The character trait of Othello and its impact on the theme of the play
  • Macbeth as a misogynistic
  • The role of weather in Macbeth
  • A comparison between Malcolm and Macbeth
  • Things that make Macbeth responsible for the murder of King Duncan
  • Minor characters and their contribution in making the Macbeth theme success
  • The difference between tyranny and kingship
  • The prophecy of the three witches and how they get fulfilled
  • Things that contributed to Macbeth’s madness
  • Love and revenge in the Hamlet
  • Reasons why Hamlet does not deserve to die

Fun Essay Topics for Shakespeare: Unleashing the Playful Side of the Bard

  • “Shakespearean Insults: A Hilarious Guide to Mastering the Art of Verbal Savagery”
  • “Shakespearean Characters in Modern Sitcoms: A Match Made in Comedy Heaven”
  • “Shakespearean Cats: Unraveling the Hidden Feline Dramas in Shakespeare’s Plays”
  • “Shakespearean Superheroes: Exploring the Secret Powers of Shakespeare’s Characters”
  • “Shakespearean Crossover: Romeo and Juliet Meet the Avengers”
  • “Shakespearean Emoji: Decoding the Bard’s Plays in Emoticons”
  • “Shakespearean Conspiracy Theories: Did Shakespeare Write His Own Plays?”
  • “Shakespearean Pick-Up Lines: Wooing Your Crush with Elizabethan Charm”
  • “Shakespearean Haikus: Capturing the Essence of Shakespeare in Seventeen Syllables”
  • “Shakespearean Memes: When Classic Literature Meets Internet Humor”

Shakespeare Essay Topics Hamlet: Exploring the Depths of Tragedy and Intrigue

  • “The Melancholy Prince: Analyzing Hamlet’s Emotional Journey”
  • “Hamlet’s ‘To Be or Not to Be’: Examining the Philosophy of Life and Death”
  • “The Role of Revenge in Hamlet: Tragedy, Justice, or Madness?”
  • “Ophelia’s Tragic Fate: Unveiling the Layers of Shakespeare’s Complex Female Character”
  • “The Manipulative Power of Claudius: Unraveling the Machiavellian Villain in Hamlet”
  • “The Theme of Madness in Hamlet: Feigned Insanity or Genuine Mental Struggle?”
  • “Hamlet’s Indecision: An In-Depth Analysis of the Protagonist’s Internal Conflict”
  • “The Ghost of Hamlet’s Father: Supernatural Elements and Their Significance in the Play”
  • “Hamlet’s Soliloquies: A Window into the Character’s Mind and the Central Themes of the Play”
  • “Shakespearean Tragedy in Hamlet: Tragic Hero, Catharsis, and the Power of Fate”
  • Masculinity in Shakespeare’s Hamlet

Shakespeare Comparison Essay Topics: Exploring Parallel Themes and Characters in Shakespeare’s Works

  • “Love and Tragedy: A Comparative Analysis of Romeo and Juliet and Antony and Cleopatra”
  • “The Power of Deception: A Comparative Study of Macbeth and Othello”
  • “Shakespeare’s Female Characters: A Comparison of Portia in The Merchant of Venice and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth”
  • “Exploring Madness: A Comparative Study of Hamlet and King Lear”
  • “The Battle of the Kings: A Comparative Analysis of Richard III and Henry V”
  • “Comic Relief: Comparing the Role of Fools in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Twelfth Night
  • “Family Ties: A Comparative Study of Sibling Relationships in The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It”
  • “Tragic Heroes: Comparing the Flaws of Macbeth and Othello”
  • “Cross-Dressing and Gender Identity: A Comparative Analysis of Viola in Twelfth Night and Rosalind in As You Like It”
  • “The Nature of Power: Comparing the Ambitions of Richard III and Julius Caesar”

Venus and Adonis Shakespeare Essay Topics: Delving into Passion, Mythology, and Artistry

  • “The Power Dynamics in Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis: An Analysis of Desire, Seduction, and Control”
  • “Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis: Exploring Gender Roles and Sexuality”
  • “Nature Imagery in Venus and Adonis: A Study of Symbolism and Metaphor”
  • “Love and Lust in Venus and Adonis: A Comparative Analysis of Shakespeare’s Poem and Ovid’s Metamorphoses”
  • “The Theme of Beauty and Artistry in Venus and Adonis: Unraveling the Poetic Aesthetics of Shakespeare”
  • “The Concept of Consent in Venus and Adonis: Examining the Boundaries of Desire and Agency”
  • “Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis: An Exploration of Love’s Transience and Mortality”
  • “The Role of Mythology in Venus and Adonis: A Comparative Study of Classical Influences”
  • “The Poetics of Seduction: Analyzing Rhetoric and Language in Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis”
  • “The Subversion of Expectations: Venus as a Powerful Female Figure in Shakespeare’s Venus and Adonis”

College Essay Topics on Shakespeare Tragedies

  • “The Tragic Heroes of Shakespeare: A Comparative Analysis of Macbeth, Hamlet, and Othello”
  • “Fate and Destiny in Shakespearean Tragedies: Examining the Role of Predestination in Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, and King Lear”
  • “The Corrupting Influence of Power: A Study of Ambition in Macbeth and Richard III”
  • “The Role of Women in Shakespeare’s Tragedies: Analyzing the Portrayal of Female Characters in Othello, Hamlet, and Antony and Cleopatra”
  • “The Tragic Flaw: An Exploration of Hubris in Shakespearean Tragedies”
  • “The Concept of Justice in Shakespearean Tragedies: A Comparative Study of Measure for Measure, Titus Andronicus, and The Merchant of Venice”
  • “The Supernatural Element in Shakespeare’s Tragedies: Examining the Role of Ghosts and Witches in Macbeth, Hamlet, and Julius Caesar”
  • “The Theme of Revenge: A Comparative Analysis of Vengeance in Hamlet, Titus Andronicus, and Romeo and Juliet”
  • “Shakespearean Tragedies and Moral Dilemmas: Exploring Ethical Choices in King Lear, Macbeth, and Coriolanus”
  • “Love and Tragedy: Analyzing the Representation of Romantic Relationships in Romeo and Juliet, Antony and Cleopatra, and Troilus and Cressida”

Essay Topics About Female Character in Shakespeare

  • “Shakespeare’s Complex Women: An Analysis of Portrayals of Female Characters in Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet”
  • “Defying Gender Norms: A Study of Strong and Independent Women in Shakespeare’s Plays”
  • “Love and Power: Examining the Ambitions and Manipulation of Lady Macbeth and Cleopatra”
  • “The Role of Desdemona: Exploring Race, Gender, and Tragedy in Othello”
  • “Unveiling Shakespeare’s Queens: A Comparative Analysis of Gertrude in Hamlet and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth”
  • “Shakespeare’s Romantic Heroines: Portia, Viola, and Rosalind”
  • “The Subversive Power of Shakespeare’s Cross-Dressed Women: Rosalind in As You Like It and Viola in Twelfth Night”
  • “Motherly Love and Tragedy: Analyzing the Maternal Figures in Shakespeare’s Plays”
  • “The Portrayal of Female Friendship in Shakespeare’s Comedies: Beatrice and Hero in Much Ado About Nothing, and Helena and Hermia in A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
  • “Shakespeare’s Tragic Heroines: Exploring the Downfall of Juliet, Ophelia, and Cordelia”

Essay Topics Shakespeare Sonnets: Exploring the Depths of Love, Time, and Artistry

  • “The Power of Love: Exploring Themes of Passion and Devotion in Shakespeare’s Sonnets”
  • “Shakespeare’s Sonnets and the Concept of Beauty: An Analysis of Aesthetics and Idealized Love”
  • “The Nature of Time in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: A Study of Transience and Mortality”
  • “Gender and Desire in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Unraveling the Complexities of Homoeroticism”
  • “The Art of Poetry: A Close Examination of the Structure and Literary Techniques in Shakespeare’s Sonnets”
  • “Shakespeare’s Sonnets and the Petrarchan Tradition: Comparing Themes of Unrequited Love and Despair”
  • “The Role of Dark Lady in Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Analyzing Female Sexuality and Empowerment”
  • “Shakespeare’s Sonnet Sequence: A Journey of Emotional Evolution and Self-Discovery”
  • “The Sonnet as a Vehicle for Immortality: Exploring Themes of Legacy and Timelessness in Shakespeare’s Poetry”
  • “Shakespeare’s Sonnets and the Representation of Poetic Voice: Examining the Persona of the Poet and the Relationship with the Reader”

Shakespeare Essay Questions to Help You Get Started

Shakespearean essays need the selection of outstanding topic. Below are some of the questions that may guide you in choosing an appropriate topic for your Shakespeare paper.

  • Who is more evil, lady Macbeth or Macbeth?
  • Is Othello urgent of his downfall?
  • Do you think Lago is evil?
  • Do you think Juliet should be blamed for the death of Romeo?
  • What do you think about gender indifference in Shakespeare’s plays?
  • How did Oedipus fall affect his territory?
  • Who is to be blamed for the actions of Othello?
  • What makes King Lear a tragic hero?
  • Do you think King Lear leadership was authoritative?
  • Who is Macbeth?

Shakespeare Essay Topics for College: Classical Yet Unique

  • Analyze Shakespeare‘s style. Are there commonalities in his plays?
  • What are some major conflicts in his work?
  • Discuss the presence of gender differences using a few of his works.
  • Discuss the theme of betrayal in Julius Caesar.
  • Discuss love and lust in Romeo and Juliet.
  • Does Shakespear use weather to change the mood of his plays? Provide examples.
  • How does the author use minor characters to develop his tales?
  • Are there misogynistic themes in Macbeth?
  • Is Othello a hero?
  • Compare two heroes in different plays. How are they similar and different?

Shakespeare Essay Ideas to Guide You in Generating Excellent Topics

To generate outstanding topics, you need to have excellent ideas to guide you in generating research questions and finally help you in choosing a topic. Here are some of the helpful ideas:

  • Othello’s downfall
  • Macbeth’s personality
  • Juliet and Romeo’s love culture
  • King Lear’s leadership
  • Kingship and tyranny

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George Lynch
George Lynch
Literature, Psychology, Religion
Experience: 3+ years
I’ve been enjoying academic writing since day one in college. Today, having a full-time job, I’m still looking forward to writing essays and research papers online for others.
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