Understand Shakespeare's plays and sonnets with SparkNotes' translations, plot summaries, character lists, quotes, lists of themes and symbols, and more.

A short summary of William Shakespeare's Hamlet. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of Hamlet.

From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes Hamlet Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays.

A short summary of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. This free synopsis covers all the crucial plot points of Romeo and Juliet.

From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes Shakespeare's Sonnets Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, …

Read the full play summary, the full play analysis, in-depth character analyses of Romeo and Juliet, and explanations of important quotes from Romeo and Juliet.

Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Shakespeare's Sonnets and what it means. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans.

The Tragedy of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare, written in 1599, is a gripping historical tragedy that unfolds against the backdrop of ancient Rome. The play dramatizes the events …

A summary of Act 1: Scenes 1–4 in William Shakespeare's Macbeth. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of Macbeth and what it means. Perfect for acing …

This adaptation highlights the play’s themes of gender, power, and the complexities of familial relationships in a visually stunning and thought-provoking manner. Read the full play …