Mastering the Bard: A Comprehensive Guide to Citing Shakespeare in Your Writing

Citing Shakespeare correctly is crucial for academic integrity and lending credibility to your work. Whether you’re writing a research paper, an essay, or even a blog post, adhering to proper citation guidelines demonstrates that you’ve done your research and are acknowledging the source of your information. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the nuances of citing Shakespeare using different citation styles, ensuring your work is accurate and professional.

Why Cite Shakespeare?

Shakespeare’s works are some of the most influential and frequently quoted pieces of literature in the English language. Citing him properly is essential for several reasons:

* **Avoiding Plagiarism:** Failing to cite Shakespeare, even when paraphrasing his words, constitutes plagiarism. It’s crucial to give credit where credit is due.
* **Establishing Credibility:** Proper citations demonstrate that you’ve consulted the original source material and have a firm grasp on the subject matter.
* **Supporting Your Arguments:** Citing specific lines or passages from Shakespeare can strengthen your arguments and provide compelling evidence for your claims.
* **Helping Readers Find the Source:** Citations allow readers to easily locate the specific passage you’re referencing, enabling them to verify your interpretation and explore the text further.

Understanding the Basics: Elements of a Shakespeare Citation

Before diving into specific citation styles, let’s break down the key elements that typically appear in a Shakespeare citation:

* **Play Title:** The title of the play from which you’re quoting (e.g., *Hamlet*, *Macbeth*, *A Midsummer Night’s Dream*).
* **Act:** Shakespeare’s plays are divided into acts, usually denoted with Roman numerals (e.g., I, II, III, IV, V).
* **Scene:** Each act is further divided into scenes, also typically denoted with Roman numerals (e.g., i, ii, iii, iv, v).
* **Line Number(s):** The specific line(s) you’re quoting from the play. Line numbers can vary slightly depending on the edition of the play you’re using, so it’s essential to be consistent.
* **Edition (Optional):** If you’re using a specific edition of Shakespeare’s works (e.g., The Arden Shakespeare, The Riverside Shakespeare), you may need to include this information in your citation, especially in more formal academic settings.
* **Character (Optional):** When citing dialogue, you can optionally include the character who speaks the line.

Choosing a Citation Style: MLA, APA, and Chicago

Different academic disciplines and publications often adhere to specific citation styles. The most common styles for citing Shakespeare are MLA (Modern Language Association), APA (American Psychological Association), and Chicago. Let’s examine each style in detail:

1. MLA (Modern Language Association) Style

MLA style is commonly used in humanities disciplines, including literature, language, and composition. Here’s how to cite Shakespeare in MLA:

In-Text Citations (Parenthetical Citations):

In MLA, you typically include a brief parenthetical citation within the text of your paper, providing the play title, act, scene, and line number(s). If you’ve already mentioned the play title in your sentence, you only need to include the act, scene, and line number(s).

* **Example 1 (Play title not mentioned in the sentence):**
( *Hamlet*, 3.1.56-59)
* **Example 2 (Play title mentioned in the sentence):**
As Hamlet famously says, “To be, or not to be” (3.1.56-59).
* **Example 3 (Citing a specific character):**
When Hamlet contemplates suicide, he asks, “To be, or not to be” (3.1.56-59).
* **Example 4 (Citing multiple lines separated by a line break):**
Use a slash (/) to indicate a line break in poetry:
“To be, or not to be, that is the question: / Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them” (*Hamlet*, 3.1.56-60).

Works Cited Entry:

In addition to in-text citations, you’ll need to include a full citation in your Works Cited list at the end of your paper. The format for a Shakespeare play in the Works Cited is as follows:

Shakespeare, William. *Title of Play*. Edited by Editor’s Name, Edition Name (if applicable), Publisher, Year of Publication.

* **Example:**
Shakespeare, William. *Hamlet*. Edited by Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor, The Arden Shakespeare, Third Series, Bloomsbury, 2016.

**Detailed Steps for MLA Citation:**

1. **Identify the Play:** Determine the title of the Shakespeare play you are referencing.
2. **Note the Act, Scene, and Line Numbers:** Carefully note the act, scene, and line numbers of the passage you are quoting or paraphrasing. Consistency with your chosen edition is key.
3. **Create the In-Text Citation:**
* If the play title isn’t already in your sentence, include it in the parenthetical citation: (*Play Title*, Act.Scene.Line(s)).
* If the play title is in your sentence, just include the act, scene, and line number(s): (Act.Scene.Line(s)).
* Use a dash for a range of lines: (3.1.56-60).
* Use a slash (/) to indicate line breaks in poetry.
4. **Create the Works Cited Entry:**
* Start with “Shakespeare, William.”
* Include the full title of the play, italicized.
* Include the editor’s name, preceded by “Edited by”.
* Include the edition name (if applicable).
* Include the publisher and year of publication.

**Example: Citing *Romeo and Juliet* in MLA**

**In-Text Citation:**

Romeo declares his love for Juliet, stating, “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” (*Romeo and Juliet*, 2.2.2-3).

**Works Cited Entry:**

Shakespeare, William. *Romeo and Juliet*. Edited by Jill L. Levenson, The Arden Shakespeare, Third Series, Bloomsbury, 2000.

2. APA (American Psychological Association) Style

APA style is commonly used in social sciences, psychology, and education. While APA is less common for citing literature, here’s how to adapt it for Shakespeare:

In-Text Citations (Parenthetical Citations):

In APA, in-text citations include the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the location of the quote (act, scene, and line numbers). Since Shakespeare’s original publication date is ancient, use the date of the edition you consulted.

* **Example 1 (Play title not mentioned in the sentence):**
(Shakespeare, 2000, *Hamlet*, 3.1.56-59)
* **Example 2 (Play title mentioned in the sentence):**
As Hamlet famously says (Shakespeare, 2000, 3.1.56-59), “To be, or not to be.”

Reference List Entry:

The reference list entry in APA includes the author, year of publication, play title, and editor information.

Shakespeare, W. (Year of Publication). *Title of play* (Editor’s Name, Ed.). Publisher.

* **Example:**
Shakespeare, W. (2016). *Hamlet* (A. Thompson & N. Taylor, Eds.). Bloomsbury.

**Detailed Steps for APA Citation:**

1. **Identify the Play:** Determine the title of the Shakespeare play you are referencing.
2. **Note the Act, Scene, and Line Numbers:** Carefully note the act, scene, and line numbers of the passage you are quoting or paraphrasing.
3. **Determine the Publication Year:** Use the publication year of the edition you are using.
4. **Create the In-Text Citation:**
* If the play title isn’t already in your sentence, include it in the parenthetical citation: (Shakespeare, Year, *Play Title*, Act.Scene.Line(s)).
* If the play title is in your sentence, just include the act, scene, and line number(s): (Shakespeare, Year, Act.Scene.Line(s)).
5. **Create the Reference List Entry:**
* Start with “Shakespeare, W.”
* Include the year of publication in parentheses.
* Include the full title of the play, italicized.
* Include the editor’s name in parentheses, followed by “, Eds.”
* Include the publisher.

**Example: Citing *Romeo and Juliet* in APA**

**In-Text Citation:**

Romeo expresses his infatuation, declaring “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? / It is the east, and Juliet is the sun” (Shakespeare, 2000, *Romeo and Juliet*, 2.2.2-3).

**Reference List Entry:**

Shakespeare, W. (2000). *Romeo and Juliet* (J. L. Levenson, Ed.). Bloomsbury.

3. Chicago Manual of Style

The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) is often used in humanities and social sciences, offering two main citation systems: Notes and Bibliography and Author-Date. The Notes and Bibliography system is more common when citing literature.

Notes and Bibliography:

* **Footnotes/Endnotes:** Use footnotes or endnotes to provide full citations. A shortened form can be used for subsequent citations of the same work.
* **Bibliography:** A comprehensive bibliography is included at the end of the document.

**First Note (Footnote/Endnote):**

William Shakespeare, *Title of Play*, edited by Editor’s Name (Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication), Act.Scene.Line(s).

* **Example:**
William Shakespeare, *Hamlet*, ed. Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor (London: Bloomsbury, 2016), 3.1.56-59.

**Subsequent Note (Shortened Form):**

Shakespeare, *Hamlet*, 3.1.56-59.

**Bibliography Entry:**

Shakespeare, William. *Title of Play*, edited by Editor’s Name. Place of Publication: Publisher, Year of Publication.

* **Example:**
Shakespeare, William. *Hamlet*, edited by Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor. London: Bloomsbury, 2016.

**Detailed Steps for Chicago (Notes and Bibliography) Citation:**

1. **Identify the Play:** Determine the title of the Shakespeare play you are referencing.
2. **Note the Act, Scene, and Line Numbers:** Carefully note the act, scene, and line numbers of the passage you are quoting or paraphrasing.
3. **Create the First Note (Footnote/Endnote):**
* Start with “William Shakespeare,”
* Include the full title of the play, italicized.
* Include “edited by” followed by the editor’s name.
* Include the place of publication, publisher, and year of publication in parentheses.
* End with the Act, Scene, and Line Number(s).
4. **Create Subsequent Notes (Shortened Form):**
* Use “Shakespeare,” followed by the title of the play in short form (if necessary), and the Act, Scene, and Line Number(s).
5. **Create the Bibliography Entry:**
* Start with “Shakespeare, William.”
* Include the full title of the play, italicized.
* Include “edited by” followed by the editor’s name.
* Include the place of publication, publisher, and year of publication.

**Example: Citing *Romeo and Juliet* in Chicago (Notes and Bibliography)**

**First Note:**

William Shakespeare, *Romeo and Juliet*, ed. Jill L. Levenson (London: Bloomsbury, 2000), 2.2.2-3.

**Subsequent Note:**

Shakespeare, *Romeo and Juliet*, 2.2.2-3.

**Bibliography Entry:**

Shakespeare, William. *Romeo and Juliet*, edited by Jill L. Levenson. London: Bloomsbury, 2000.

Author-Date System:

The Author-Date system is similar to APA, but it has some key differences. In this system, in-text citations include the author’s last name, year of publication, and page numbers (or act, scene, and line numbers for plays). The reference list is titled “References.”

**In-Text Citation:**

(Shakespeare Year, Act.Scene.Line(s))

* **Example:**
(Shakespeare 2016, 3.1.56-59)

**Reference List Entry:**

Shakespeare, William. Year. *Title of Play*. Edited by Editor’s Name. Place of Publication: Publisher.

* **Example:**
Shakespeare, William. 2016. *Hamlet*. Edited by Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor. London: Bloomsbury.

**Important Considerations for Chicago Style:**

* **Edition:** Always cite the specific edition you are using.
* **Consistency:** Be consistent with your chosen format throughout your paper.

Tips for Citing Shakespeare Accurately

* **Choose an Edition and Stick with It:** Line numbers can vary between editions. Select one edition of Shakespeare’s works and consistently use it throughout your research and writing.
* **Double-Check Your Citations:** Accuracy is paramount. Carefully verify the act, scene, and line numbers before submitting your work.
* **Use Citation Management Tools:** Tools like Zotero, Mendeley, and EndNote can help you organize your sources and generate citations automatically. However, always double-check the output to ensure accuracy, as these tools aren’t always perfect.
* **Consult Style Guides:** Refer to the official MLA, APA, or Chicago Manual of Style for detailed guidelines and examples.
* **Pay Attention to Formatting:** Ensure that your citations are formatted correctly according to the chosen style guide (e.g., italics, punctuation, spacing).
* **Be Mindful of Paraphrasing:** Even when paraphrasing Shakespeare’s ideas or language, you still need to cite the source. Attribute the original thought to Shakespeare and provide the relevant citation.
* **Consistency is Key:** Whatever style you choose, stick with it throughout your entire document. Mixing citation styles can confuse readers and make your work appear unprofessional.
* **When in Doubt, Cite:** If you are unsure whether or not to cite a particular passage, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and include a citation. This demonstrates academic honesty and avoids any potential accusations of plagiarism.

Handling Specific Scenarios

* **Citing Multiple Plays:** If you’re citing multiple plays, be sure to include the play title in each in-text citation, even if you’ve already mentioned it in the sentence. This helps readers distinguish between the different works.
* **Citing Online Sources:** If you’re accessing Shakespeare’s works online (e.g., from the Folger Shakespeare Library website), include the URL and date of access in your Works Cited or Reference List entry.
* **Citing Adaptations or Performances:** If you’re citing an adaptation of Shakespeare’s work (e.g., a film, a stage production), cite the adaptation as you would any other source, including the director, performers, and year of release or performance.
* **Dealing with Verse vs. Prose:** Shakespeare’s plays often alternate between verse (poetry) and prose. When quoting verse, preserve the line breaks and indentation. When quoting prose, format it as you would any other prose passage.

Example: A Comparison of Citation Styles

Let’s look at how the same quote from *Hamlet* would be cited in MLA, APA, and Chicago styles:

**Quote:**

“To be, or not to be, that is the question: / Whether ’tis nobler in the mind to suffer / The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, / Or to take arms against a sea of troubles, / And by opposing end them?”

**MLA:**

( *Hamlet*, 3.1.56-60)

Shakespeare, William. *Hamlet*. Edited by Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor, The Arden Shakespeare, Third Series, Bloomsbury, 2016.

**APA:**

(Shakespeare, 2016, *Hamlet*, 3.1.56-60)

Shakespeare, W. (2016). *Hamlet* (A. Thompson & N. Taylor, Eds.). Bloomsbury.

**Chicago (Notes and Bibliography):**

William Shakespeare, *Hamlet*, ed. Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor (London: Bloomsbury, 2016), 3.1.56-60.

Shakespeare, William. *Hamlet*, edited by Ann Thompson and Neil Taylor. London: Bloomsbury, 2016.

Conclusion

Citing Shakespeare accurately might seem daunting at first, but by understanding the basic principles of different citation styles and following these detailed guidelines, you can confidently and effectively incorporate the Bard’s timeless words into your writing. Remember to choose an edition and citation style and stay consistent. Proper citation demonstrates your scholarly integrity and strengthens the impact of your arguments, bringing new appreciation to Shakespeare’s enduring legacy.