Ranking the works of William Shakespeare is an exercise as difficult as it is debatable.
Some plays are imperfect, others are extraordinary, while some lie somewhere between greatness and chaos. However, below is a complete ranking, from the least successful works to the absolute masterpieces of world theater.
35. The Two Gentlemen of Verona
An early comedy with an implausible story and uneven tones. However, it displays some elements that Shakespeare would later develop.
34. Cymbeline
A messy mix of stories, but with one of the author's strongest heroines: Imogen.
33. The Two Noble Kinsmen
Collaboration with John Fletcher. It has strong moments, but it doesn't maintain a consistent dramatic identity.
32. Henry VIII
Drama related to the Globe Theatre fire. It has beautiful scenes, but weak structure.
31. All's Well That Ends Well
A comedy that is difficult to love, but successful on stage thanks to the actors' performances.
30. King John
A political work about power and cynical opportunism.
29. Timon of Athens
A story of wealth and human disappointment, with dark and philosophical undertones.
28. Pericles
Irregular in structure, but with excellent poetic fragments.
27. The Taming of the Shrew
Problematic for modernity, but still alive on the stage.
26. The Merchant of Venice
Controversial for its subject matter, but always powerful in its interpretation.
25. The Tempest
A poetic work about control, power and illusion.
24. Julius Caesar
A political drama that remains highly interpreted in modern contexts.
23. Romeo and Juliet
The most famous love tragedy, emotionally strong but uneven in structure.
22. The Merry Wives of Windsor
A lively comedy about bourgeois life and deception.
21. Richard III
A powerful portrait of ambition and political manipulation.
20. Much Ado About Nothing
Brilliant comedy, with excellent dialogue and unforgettable characters.
19. Othello
Powerful tragedy about jealousy and manipulation.
18. Henry VI (three parts)
A long historical chronicle, but important for the author's development.
17. The Comedy of Errors
Classic farce about mistaken identity.
16. Titus Andronicus
One of the most violent dramas, but with great emotional intensity.
15. Troilus and Cressida
Ironic and cynical about war and human morality.
14. Richard II
A dramatic poem about the fall of a king.
13. As You Like It
Comedy of maturity and identity.
12. Measure for Measure
A dark drama about morality and power.
11. Antony and Cleopatra
Rich in language, but sometimes tiring on stage.
10. Henry V
An ambivalent work between heroism and propaganda.
9. The Winter's Tale
A story about jealousy, forgiveness and resurrection.
8. Coriolanus
Politically profound and emotionally tense.
7. Love's Labor's Lost
Sophisticated and melancholic linguistic comedy.
6. King Lear
One of the greatest tragedies, albeit with some structural excesses.
5. Macbeth
Powerful, dark and extremely compact.
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream
A world of magic, dreams and transformation.
3. Hamlet
The most multidimensional drama, endless in interpretation.
2. Twelfth Night
A perfect mix of comedy and sadness.
1. Henry IV (Parts I & II)
The pinnacle of Shakespeare: Political, family and philosophical history, with Falstaff as one of the greatest figures of world theatre.
This ranking remains subjective, but it shows an immutable truth: Shakespeare is incomparable because each of his works lives differently in every era and on every stage. /GazetaExpress/
t7 live
