William Shakespeare Reading Order
7 series · 108 books
William Shakespeare stands as the most influential dramatist in English literature, crafting timeless plays that continue to captivate audiences worldwide. His works span comedy, tragedy, and history, exploring the full spectrum of human experience through richly developed characters and poetic language. Modern editions and collections of his complete works remain essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the foundations of English drama and literature.
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Anthologies Series
Complete6 books (1992–2020)
The Anthologies series comprises five complete collections published between 1992 and 2018, each featuring curated selections of literary works and writings on specific themes. These standalone anthologies should be read in publication order, beginning with On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question and continuing through 100 Best-Loved Poems, World's Greatest Poems, Winter: A Folio Anthology, and Writers: Their Lives and Works. The series offers a diverse range of non-fiction materials spanning poetry, essays, and biographical content drawn from various authors and time periods.
Start with On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question, the first of 5 books in the Anthologies series.
Start this series with On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question
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Collections Series
Ongoing7 books (1995–2024)
The Collections series comprises six books of Shakespearean works and related materials published between 1995 and 2024, with the series remaining ongoing. These volumes should be read in publication order, beginning with The Prince's Choice. The series includes various complete collections of Shakespeare's plays, sonnets, and poems, along with selections aimed at younger readers.
Start with The Prince's Choice, the first of 6 books in the Collections series.
Start this series with The Prince's Choice
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Comedy Plays Series
Complete16 books (1593–1634)
Shakespeare's Comedy Plays series consists of 16 dramatic works written between 1593 and 1634, representing the playwright's complete output in the comedic genre. The plays should be read in publication order, beginning with The Tempest and progressing through works including A Midsummer Night's Dream, Much Ado About Nothing, The Merchant of Venice, and Twelfth Night. This finished collection showcases Shakespeare's evolution as a writer of comedy across four decades of his career, with each play standing as an independent work while collectively demonstrating the development of his comedic techniques and themes.
Start with The Tempest, the first of 16 books in the Comedy Plays series.
Start this series with The Tempest
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Everyman's Library Pocket Poets Series
Ongoing28 books (1671–2024)
Everyman's Library Pocket Poets is an ongoing anthology series featuring curated collections of poetry from major literary figures, spanning from classical to contemporary poets. The series comprises 28 books published across multiple decades starting in 1671 through 2024, with each volume dedicated to a single poet's work. Readers should follow the publication order to experience the series as intended, beginning with Herbert: Poems and continuing through selections from Shakespeare, Wordsworth, Byron, Keats, Blake, and many other celebrated poets. These portable editions are designed to make canonical poetry accessible to general readers in a convenient format.
Start with Herbert: Poems(By: ), the first of 28 books in the Everyman's Library Pocket Poets series.
Start this series with Herbert: Poems(By: )
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History Plays Series
Complete11 books (1590–1598)
William Shakespeare's History Plays comprise eleven complete works published between 1590 and 1598, spanning dramatized accounts of English monarchs and dynastic conflicts. These plays should be read in publication order, beginning with Henry IV, Part 2, followed by Henry IV, Part I and continuing through the remaining nine historical dramas. The series captures pivotal moments in English royal history through Shakespeare's distinctive dramatic lens, offering interconnected narratives of power, succession, and statecraft across multiple generations of rulers.
Start with Henry IV, Part 2, the first of 11 books in the History Plays series.
Start this series with Henry IV, Part 2
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Poetry for Young People Series
Complete28 books (1977–2017)
The Poetry for Young People series is a 28-book collection of poetry anthologies designed to introduce young readers to classic and contemporary poets. Published between 1977 and 2017, the series features individual volumes dedicated to major poets including Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, Edgar Allan Poe, William Shakespeare, and many others. Each book presents selected poems from its featured poet along with illustrations and educational context. The series is complete and should be read in publication order, beginning with Walt Whitman.
Start with Walt Whitman(By: Walt Whitman), the first of 28 books in the Poetry for Young People series.
Start this series with Walt Whitman(By: Walt Whitman)
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Tragedy Plays Series
Complete12 books (1592–1610)
This complete series comprises twelve of William Shakespeare's most renowned tragic dramas, written and first performed between 1592 and 1610. The plays should be read in publication order, beginning with Troilus and Cressida and concluding with Cymbeline. These works explore themes of human ambition, downfall, and suffering through stories drawn from classical sources and historical events. The collection represents the full scope of Shakespeare's tragic output during the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras.
Start with Troilus and Cressida, the first of 12 books in the Tragedy Plays series.
Start this series with Troilus and Cressida
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How many books has William Shakespeare written?
- William Shakespeare has written 108 books across 7 series. Their published works span from 1590 to 2024.
- What is the first book in each William Shakespeare series?
- Here are the first books in William Shakespeare's series: Anthologies: On Suicide: Great Writers on the Ultimate Question; Collections: The Prince's Choice; Comedy Plays: The Tempest; Everyman's Library Pocket Poets: Herbert: Poems(By: ); History Plays: Henry IV, Part 2.
- What order should I read William Shakespeare's books?
- We recommend reading William Shakespeare's series in publication order. Each series can be read independently.
- Is William Shakespeare still writing new books?
- Yes, William Shakespeare has 2 ongoing series: Collections, Everyman's Library Pocket Poets.