How to Cite a Shakespeare Play in MLA: A Complete Guide
Citing a Shakespeare play in MLA format is a common requirement for students and researchers studying literature, theater, or English. Whether you're analyzing a sonnet, a tragedy, or a comedy, proper citation ensures your work maintains academic integrity and allows readers to locate the original source. This guide will walk you through the process of citing Shakespeare plays in MLA style, including in-text citations, Works Cited entries, and special cases like online sources Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Nothing fancy..
And yeah — that's actually more nuanced than it sounds.
Understanding MLA Citation Basics
MLA (Modern Language Association) style is widely used in the humanities, particularly in literature and language studies. It emphasizes clarity, consistency, and the ability to locate sources. When citing a Shakespeare play, the key elements include the author’s name, the title of the play, the publication information, and the specific edition used.
In-Text Citations
In-text citations in MLA format include the author’s last name and the act, scene, and line numbers. For Shakespeare, the standard format is:
- (Shakespeare, Act.Scene.Line)
If the play is divided into acts, scenes, and lines, you should include all three. Here's one way to look at it: if you’re quoting from Hamlet, you might write:
"To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare, 3.1.57) Small thing, real impact..
If the play does not have line numbers, you can use page numbers instead. That said, most modern editions of Shakespeare’s works include line numbers, so it’s best to use those when available.
Works Cited Entries
The Works Cited page is where you list all the sources cited in your paper. For a Shakespeare play, the format depends on whether you’re citing a print edition or an online source.
Print Edition Example
If you’re using a printed edition of a Shakespeare play, such as the Norton Shakespeare or the Oxford Shakespeare, the Works Cited entry should include the author, the title of the play, the editor (if applicable), the publisher, and the year of publication. Here’s an example:
Shakespeare, William. But Hamlet. Edited by A. Here's the thing — c. Bradley, Penguin Books, 1992 The details matter here. Less friction, more output..
In this example, "William Shakespeare" is the author, "Hamlet" is the title of the play, "A. C. Bradley" is the editor, "Penguin Books" is the publisher, and "1992" is the year of publication.
Online Edition Example
If you’re citing an online version of a Shakespeare play, such as the one provided by the Folger Shakespeare Library or the Internet Shakespeare Editions, the format will include the website name, the URL, and the date of access. Here’s an example:
Shakespeare, William. But edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, folger. Here's the thing — Macbeth. Consider this: edu, accessed 15 Apr. 2023 Practical, not theoretical..
In this case, "William Shakespeare" is the author, "Macbeth" is the title of the play, "Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine" are the editors, "Folger Shakespeare Library" is the website, and "15 Apr. 2023" is the date you accessed the source.
Citing Specific Editions
It’s important to note that different editions of Shakespeare’s plays may have different line numbers or formatting. Always check the specific edition you’re using and cite it accordingly. As an example, if you’re using the First Folio edition, you would cite it as follows:
Shakespeare, William. That said, The Tempest. Edited by Gary Taylor and Dodie Goodman, Modern Library, 1997 But it adds up..
Using the Play’s Title in the Text
When discussing a Shakespeare play in your paper, it’s helpful to mention the title in italics. For example:
In Romeo and Juliet, Shakespeare explores the theme of young love through the tragic relationship between the two protagonists Most people skip this — try not to. Still holds up..
This helps readers identify the work you’re referring to without having to look it up in the Works Cited page.
Citing Multiple Plays
If your paper includes multiple Shakespeare plays, you’ll need to create separate Works Cited entries for each. For example:
Shakespeare, William. Even so, Much Ado About Nothing. Edited by R. A. Foakes, Penguin Books, 1992 Practical, not theoretical..
Shakespeare, William. Here's the thing — Othello. Edited by A. P. Rossiter, Penguin Books, 1992.
Citing Specific Acts, Scenes, or Lines
When quoting a specific passage from a Shakespeare play, include the act, scene, and line numbers in parentheses. For example:
Shakespeare’s character Hamlet contemplates life and death in his famous soliloquy: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" (3.1.57).
If the play is divided into acts and scenes but not lines, you can use page numbers instead. For example:
Shakespeare’s character Hamlet contemplates life and death in his famous soliloquy: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare, 45).
Citing a Specific Edition of a Play
If you’re using a specific edition of a Shakespeare play, include the editor’s name in the Works Cited entry. For example:
Shakespeare, William. King Lear. Edited by Harold Bloom, Yale University Press, 1992.
Citing Online Sources
When citing an online version of a Shakespeare play, include the website name, the URL, and the date you accessed the source. For example:
Shakespeare, William. Julius Caesar. Plus, edited by Barbara Mowat and Paul Werstine, Folger Shakespeare Library, folger. edu, accessed 10 Mar. 2023.
Citing a Digital Edition
If you’re using a digital edition of a Shakespeare play, such as one from Project Gutenberg or the Internet Archive, include the website name, the URL, and the date of access. For example:
Shakespeare, William. The Merchant of Venice. On the flip side, project Gutenberg, www. So gutenberg. org/ebook/130, accessed 12 Feb. 2023.
Citing a Specific Line or Passage
When quoting a specific line or passage from a Shakespeare play, include the act, scene, and line numbers in parentheses. For example:
Shakespeare’s character Hamlet reflects on the nature of existence in his famous soliloquy: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" (3.1.57).
Citing a Play with No Line Numbers
If the edition you’re using does not include line numbers, you can use page numbers instead. For example:
Shakespeare’s character Hamlet reflects on the nature of existence in his famous soliloquy: "To be, or not to be, that is the question" (Shakespeare, 45) Took long enough..
Citing a Play with Multiple Editors
If the edition you’re using has multiple editors, list all of them in the Works Cited entry. For example:
Shakespeare, William. Antony and Cleopatra. That said, edited by A. R. Humphreys and Peter Holland, Cambridge University Press, 1997.
Citing a Play with a Publisher’s Note
If the edition you’re using includes a publisher’s note or introduction, include the editor’s name and the publisher in the Works Cited entry. For example:
Shakespeare, William. The Taming of the Shrew. Edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Penguin Books, 1992 That alone is useful..
Citing a Play with a Translator
If the edition you’re using has been translated into another language, include the translator’s name in the Works Cited entry. For example:
Shakespeare, William. Cymbeline. Translated by John Smith, Penguin Books, 1992 Small thing, real impact..
Citing a Play with a Publisher’s Note
If the edition you’re using includes a publisher’s note or introduction, include the editor’s name and the publisher in the Works Cited entry. For example:
Shakespeare, William. Still, The Two Gentlemen of Verona. Edited by Stephen Greenblatt, Penguin Books, 1992.
Citing a Play with a Publisher’s Note
If the edition you’re using includes a publisher’s note or introduction, include the editor’s name and the publisher in the Works Cited entry. For example:
Shakespeare, William. *The Winter’s Tale
Such precision in documentation safeguards knowledge integrity, bridging gaps across time and disciplines. Thus, such practices remain foundational to scholarly discourse Simple, but easy to overlook..
