shakespearean play crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Welcome! If you're tackling a crossword and stuck on a clue for a "shakespearean play," you've come to the right place. Below you'll find a comprehensive list of potential answers, organized by their letter count, along with concise explanations to help you complete your puzzle with ease.
Solutions for "shakespearean play crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
LEAR: Refers to "King Lear," one of Shakespeare's great tragedies, centered around an aging king and his daughters.
5 Letters
ROMEO: From "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare's iconic tragedy of star-crossed lovers.
TITUS: Refers to "Titus Andronicus," one of Shakespeare's early and most violent tragedies.
6 Letters
HAMLET: A masterpiece tragedy revolving around the Prince of Denmark.
ANTONY: Refers to "Antony and Cleopatra," a historical tragedy about the Roman general and Egyptian queen.
7 Letters
OTHELLO: A tragic play dealing with jealousy, deception, and murder, featuring a Moorish general.
MACBETH: The Scottish tragedy, depicting the corrupting effects of ambition.
TEMPEST: One of Shakespeare's last plays, a romantic comedy featuring magic and reconciliation.
10 Letters
CORIOLANUS: A lesser-known Roman tragedy by Shakespeare, about a proud general.
More About "shakespearean play crossword clue"
Shakespearean plays are a staple in the world of crosswords, cherished by setters for their diverse titles, varying lengths, and cultural ubiquity. From the brevity of "Lear" to the more extended "Coriolanus," these clues can fit into almost any grid configuration. They often appear as straightforward clues, simply asking for a "Shakespearean play," but can also be more complex, hinting at themes, characters, or specific lines from the plays.
The Bard's works cover a vast spectrum of human experience, encompassing comedies, tragedies, histories, and romances. This depth makes them a rich wellspring for crossword clues, allowing setters to challenge solvers' knowledge of classic literature. Familiarizing yourself with the titles of his most prominent works, as well as some of the less common ones, can significantly improve your chances of solving these types of clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Consider the Play's Genre: While "shakespearean play" is broad, sometimes clues hint at a specific genre, e.g., "Shakespearean tragedy" or "Shakespearean comedy." This can narrow down your options significantly.
- Think of Famous Works First: Begin by recalling the most well-known plays like Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet (often clued as ROMEO or JULIET, though sometimes as the full 'Romeo and Juliet' if multiple words are allowed, but usually a single word answer is expected for 'play').
- Count the Letters Carefully: The length of the answer is your most crucial hint. Match the exact number of boxes in the grid to the possible answers provided above.
- Check for Character Names: While the clue asks for a play, some play titles are also famous character names (e.g., HAMLET, OTHELLO, LEAR). Keep this in mind when trying to fit an answer.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Shakespearean plays common crossword clues?
Shakespeare's plays are a rich source of vocabulary, names, and themes. Their widespread recognition and varied lengths make them versatile for crossword setters to use for different letter counts, fitting into many puzzle grids.
Are Shakespearean characters or quotes also clued as plays?
While characters (like ROMEO or HAMLET) and famous quotes can be individual clues, when the clue specifically asks for a 'Shakespearean play,' the expected answer is generally the title of one of his works. Sometimes, a well-known character's name is the *title* of the play, like 'Hamlet' or 'Othello'.
How many plays did William Shakespeare write?
William Shakespeare is generally credited with writing 39 plays, though the exact number can vary slightly depending on how collaborations and lost works are counted. These include tragedies, comedies, and historical plays.