Best Comedies Written by Shakespeare

William Shakespeare may be best known for his tragedies—Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet—but his comedies are where his genius for humor, wordplay, and human folly truly shines.

Filled with mistaken identities, clever banter, and chaotic romance, Shakespeare’s comedies remain as fresh and entertaining today as they were in the 16th century.

This post explores his most famous comedies, why they still resonate, and what makes them so enduringly funny.

Before discussing the major comedies written by Shakespeare, let’s consider the scholars’ categorization of his works!

How Are Shakespeare’s Plays Categorized?

Shakespeare’s works weren’t neatly sorted by genre during his lifetime, but after his death, his fellow actors John Heminges and Henry Condell compiled his plays in the First Folio (1623), dividing them into three categories:

1. Comedies – Lighthearted plays with witty dialogue, romantic entanglements, and (usually) happy endings.
2. Histories – Dramatizations of English kings and political struggles (e.g., Henry V, Richard III).
3. Tragedies – Dark, morally complex stories ending in death and downfall (e.g., Hamlet, Macbeth).

Later, scholars added a fourth category:

4. Romances – A blend of comedy and tragedy, often featuring magical elements, reunions, and redemption (e.g., The Tempest, The Winter’s Tale).

Some plays defy easy classification—like The Merchant of Venice and Measure for Measure—which are often called “problem plays” because they mix comedy with darker, morally ambiguous themes.

Complete List of Shakespeare’s Comedies

Here’s every play traditionally classified as a comedy, based on the First Folio and later scholarship. Asterisks denote subcategories:

Key to Symbols:

• (*) = Romance (later plays with fantastical elements and bittersweet tones)
• (**) = Problem play (dark or morally complex comedies)

But why are the above categories crucial?

Shakespeare didn’t stick to rigid genres—his comedies often include serious moments (The Merchant of Venice’s courtroom scene), and his romances (The Tempest) blend fairy-tale wonder with deep philosophical questions. The labels help us track his evolution as a writer:

• Early Comedies (The Taming of the Shrew, A Midsummer Night’s Dream) – Fast-paced, full of slapstick and wordplay.
• Mature Comedies (Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing) – Sharper wit, deeper character studies.
• Problem Plays & Romances (Measure for Measure, The Winter’s Tale) – Ambiguous endings, darker themes.

Even today, directors and scholars debate how to classify plays like The Merchant of Venice—is it a comedy, tragedy, or something in between? That’s part of what keeps Shakespeare’s work so endlessly fascinating.

Let’s now discuss the uniqueness of the comedies written by Shakespeare!

What Makes Comedies Written by Shakespeare Unique?

Unlike modern sitcoms or slapstick humor, Shakespeare’s comedies blend wit, irony, and social satire with deeper themes—love, identity, power, and the absurdity of human nature. His plays often feature:

• Mistaken identities & disguises (cross-dressing heroes, confused lovers)
• Wordplay & puns (Shakespeare loved a good double entendre)
• Chaotic plots (misunderstandings, love triangles, magical interference)
• Happy endings (usually involving weddings and reconciliation)

These elements make his comedies feel both timeless and surprisingly modern—after all, who doesn’t love a good romantic mix-up or a sarcastic jab at society?

Shakespeare’s Greatest Comedies (And Why They Still Matter)

Here is a list of comedies written by Shakespeare:

1. A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-96)

“The course of true love never did run smooth.”

A magical forest, feuding fairies, and four hopelessly confused lovers—this play is Shakespeare at his most whimsical. Puck’s mischief, Bottom’s transformation into a donkey, and the chaotic love potions make this a comedy of errors in the best way.

Why it’s still hilarious today:

• The absurdity of love (ever had a crush on the wrong person? Shakespeare gets it.)
• The contrast between rigid court life and wild, rule-breaking nature.
• Adaptations like 10 Things I Hate About You (loosely inspired) keep its spirit alive.

2. Twelfth Night (1601-02)

“Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.”

Shipwrecks, secret identities, and unrequited love—Twelfth Night is Shakespeare’s ultimate gender-bending rom-com. Viola disguises herself as a man, causing a love triangle where her boss (Orsino) loves Olivia… who falls for Viola-in-drag.

Why it’s still brilliant:

• Gender fluidity & queer readings (Olivia in love with a woman in disguise? Fascinating.)
• Malvolio’s iconic yellow-stockings scene (peak cringe comedy).
• Modern adaptations (She’s the Man with Amanda Bynes) prove its lasting appeal.

3. Much Ado About Nothing (1598-99)

“When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married.”

Witty insults, fake betrayals, and two of Shakespeare’s sharpest-tongued lovers—Beatrice and Benedick—steal the show in this battle-of-the-sexes comedy.

Why it’s still a crowd-pleaser:

• Beatrice and Benedick’s banter (the original rom-com enemies-to-lovers trope).
• The villainous Don John’s schemes feel like a proto-soap opera.
• Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 film adaptation is a must-watch.

4. As You Like It (1599-1600)

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players.”

Exiled nobles, a forest of love, and Rosalind (one of Shakespeare’s best heroines) dressing as a man to teach her crush how to woo her—this play is pure charm.

Why it’s still delightful:

• Rosalind’s intelligence and agency (rare for female characters of the time).
• Jaques’ melancholic musings balance the play’s lightheartedness.
• The idea of escaping society’s rules for a freer life still resonates.

5. The Taming of the Shrew (1590-92)

“Such duty as the subject owes the prince, even such a woman oweth to her husband.”

The most controversial of Shakespeare’s comedies, The Taming of the Shrew follows Petruchio’s relentless “taming” of the fiery Katherina. While its gender politics are problematic today, the play’s energy and wit keep it in discussion.

Why it’s still debated:

• Is it satire? A product of its time? Or just uncomfortable? (Scholars still argue.)
• Adaptations like Kiss Me Kate and 10 Things I Hate About You reframe the story.
• Katherina’s final monologue remains one of Shakespeare’s most analyzed speeches.

6. The Merchant of Venice (1596-97)

“The quality of mercy is not strained.”

A tricky play to categorize—part comedy, part drama, part troubling portrayal of antisemitism. The story of Shylock, Portia’s courtroom disguise, and the infamous “pound of flesh” makes it unforgettable.

Why it’s still discussed:

• Shylock’s complex humanity challenges audiences.
• Portia’s intelligence in the trial scene is one of Shakespeare’s best moments.
• Its moral ambiguities make it ripe for modern reinterpretations.

Why Do Shakespeare’s Comedies Still Work?

1. The humor is timeless. Mistaken identities, sarcastic wit, and ridiculous situations never go out of style.
2. The characters feel real. Beatrice’s sharp tongue, Rosalind’s cleverness, Puck’s mischief—they’re as vivid as any modern character.
3. They’re endlessly adaptable. From West Side Story (based on Romeo and Juliet) to She’s the Man (Twelfth Night), his plots keep getting reinvented.

Final Thought

Shakespeare’s comedies are for everyone. As a literature lover, a rom-com fan, or just someone who enjoys a good laugh, comedies written by Shakespeare have something for you. They’re not just relics of the past—they’re living, breathing stories that continue to inspire, entertain, and even provoke.

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