what is shakespeare's most important play?

Question

what is his most popular play?

please include why :) thanks

Answer 1

Nineteenth-century critics regarded Hamlet as Shakespeare's most important play, partly because it raised the great moral issues that interested Hölderlin, Kiekegaard, and Nietzsche and Freud later on. More recent critics have suggested that Shakespeare created the Romantic consciousness before the Romantics themselves were born.
For the full discussion, just click on the 1st link.

Of all the plays written by Shakespeare, Hamlet has enjoyed the greatest popularity (and perhaps the greatest love) over the years. More at the 2nd link.

Answer 2

It is difficult to define either most important or most popular; they are both rather subjective. Additionally, I think there would be candidates for each from both his tragedies and his comedies.

Certainly I would suggest that Romeo and Julliet is his best known, as most people are aware of the general story, even if they couldn't tell you who wrote it. For his most popular comedy I would nominate the Merchant of Venice, given its accessibility, and the fact that most people study it in school at some point.

My personal favorite is Hamlet, as it to my mind the most tragic of the tragedies; the fatal flaw of the lead character being his inability to avenge the murder of his father; hardly the flaws of ambition, jealously, or greed that befoul many of Shakespeare's other tragic characters. That being said, Macbeth is a close second, for its witches and terrific tale of deceit and guilt.

The story of Hamlet has inspired countless other similar stories, including Disney's the Lion King. On this narrow basis, I will also select Hamlet as the most important.

Answer 3

Hamlet

Answer 4

i would say either Mac Beth or Hamlet because of its use of devices and themes- ie- the asides, the ghosts, the morality, etc. i dont know if id say it was revolutionary for that time, but what makes it last is its resounding ability to relate at anytime period.

Answer 5

Hamlet.

Answer 6

Hamlet
Because of the popular quote "to be or not to be"