If you need to cite Shakespeare correctly, the main challenge is usually not Shakespeare himself but the edition, format, and style guide you are using. Because his works appear in many editions and are often quoted from plays rather than page-based books, citation rules can look confusing at first.
The good news is that once you understand the basic pattern, citing Shakespeare becomes very manageable. This guide explains how to cite plays, poems, and quotations in common academic styles, with practical examples you can adapt to your assignment or publication.
How do you cite Shakespeare correctly?
To cite Shakespeare, name the work, then give the act, scene, and line numbers for plays, or line numbers for poetry, rather than relying only on page numbers. In MLA and many classroom settings, the edition is listed in the Works Cited or bibliography, while in-text citations usually point to the exact passage.
Why Shakespeare citations are a little different
Shakespeare’s plays were written for performance, so line numbers matter more than page numbers. Different editions may paginate the text differently, but the act, scene, and line system stays stable enough for readers to locate the passage.
That is why a citation for Hamlet usually looks unlike a citation for a modern novel. Instead of “page 42,” you will often see something like (Ham. 3.1.56–58) or a similar style-guided version of the same information.
What you need before you cite
- The title of the work you are using
- The edition or editor, if your style guide requires it
- Act, scene, and line numbers for plays
- Line numbers for poems
- The citation style your teacher, journal, or publisher wants
Citing Shakespeare in MLA style
MLA is one of the most common styles used for Shakespeare. In general, you cite the play in your Works Cited and give act, scene, and line numbers in the text. If the play is in a collection or anthology, cite that edition in full.
In-text citations for plays
MLA usually uses abbreviated titles and location markers rather than page numbers. For example, a quotation from Macbeth might be cited as (Mac. 1.7.20–25). The exact abbreviation can vary by instructor or edition, but the format stays the same: title plus act.scene.lines.
If the play title is already clear in your sentence, you may only need the location marker. For example: Macbeth reflects on the consequences of his choice (1.7.20–25).
Works Cited entry for a play
A modern MLA Works Cited entry usually includes the title, editor if relevant, publisher, and year. Because editions vary, follow the details of the copy you actually used.
Example structure:
- Shakespeare, William. Title of Play. Edited by Editor Name, Publisher, Year.
If you used a standalone edition, include the editor and publication information. If you used an online scholarly text, include the website or database according to MLA rules.
How to cite a poem by Shakespeare in MLA
For poems, cite line numbers rather than page numbers when possible. A citation for a sonnet may look like (Shakespeare 3–4) if the author is clear from context, or it may include the poem title if needed.
For a short poem, you may cite the line numbers directly in the text if the poem is well known and the context is obvious. The important thing is consistency and clarity.
How to cite Shakespeare in APA style
APA is less commonly used for Shakespeare in literature classes, but it can still appear in academic writing. APA generally prefers author-date citations, so you will usually cite Shakespeare by author and year of the edition you are using, then add a locator such as act, scene, or line numbers when available.
In-text citation pattern
A typical APA in-text citation may look like (Shakespeare, 2003, 1.7.20–25), depending on the edition and the instructor’s preferred formatting. If you are quoting from a specific modern edition, the year refers to that edition, not the original composition date.
Reference list entry
In APA, the reference entry should match the edition you consulted. That usually means listing Shakespeare as the author, the year of the edition, the title in italics, and the editor or translator if relevant.
Because Shakespeare’s works are often edited in scholarly collections, your reference entry should reflect the exact source rather than a generic “Shakespeare” citation.
How to cite Shakespeare in Chicago style
Chicago style can use notes-bibliography or author-date format. In literature papers, notes-bibliography is common, and Shakespeare citations often appear in footnotes or endnotes with a full bibliographic entry.
Footnote example
A note might include the play title, act, scene, and line numbers, plus the edition if needed. Chicago gives you flexibility, but the same principle applies: identify the passage precisely and consistently.
Bibliography entry
Your bibliography should list the edition you used. If you are citing a specific scholarly edition, include the editor and publication details so readers can trace your source accurately.
How to format Shakespeare citations in your paper
Most Shakespeare citations become easier when you follow a simple routine. First, identify the exact work and edition. Next, locate the act, scene, and line numbers. Finally, apply the citation style required by your assignment.
- Choose the edition you are using.
- Find the passage and note act, scene, and line numbers.
- Check your style guide for abbreviations and punctuation.
- Write the in-text citation or note.
- Record the full source in your Works Cited, references, or bibliography.
Use the act, scene, and line numbers
For plays, this is the most reliable way to direct readers to the exact lines you mean. The format is compact and works across editions, which is why it is preferred over page numbers.
Example pattern: (2.2.1–5) for act 2, scene 2, lines 1 through 5.
When page numbers still matter
If your style guide asks for page numbers in addition to act, scene, and line numbers, include both. This is more common in some class handouts and certain publication formats than in standard literary citation practice.
How to cite a quotation from Shakespeare
When quoting Shakespeare, keep the quotation short and integrate it smoothly into your sentence. Then add the citation immediately after the quote or at the end of the sentence, depending on the style guide.
Short quotation example
You might write: Hamlet calls memory “the table of my memory” (Ham. 1.5.98). The quotation is brief, and the citation points directly to the line.
Do not copy long passages unless your assignment specifically requires close reading. In most cases, a short quotation plus your own analysis is stronger and cleaner.
Long quotation or block quote
If you are quoting several lines of verse, many styles ask you to format it as a block quote. Preserve the line breaks as they appear in the text and place the citation after the final line.
How to cite Shakespeare’s plays by title
Shakespeare’s plays are usually cited by abbreviated title in parenthetical references, especially in MLA. The abbreviation should be understandable and consistent throughout your paper.
Common citation habits
- Use the play title in italics in your Works Cited or bibliography.
- Use an abbreviated title in parenthetical citations if required.
- Use act, scene, and line numbers for the location.
For example, a citation for Romeo and Juliet might appear as (Rom. 3.1.55–60) in a classroom that accepts abbreviated titles. Your instructor may prefer a different abbreviation or no abbreviation at all, so always check the required format.
What to do with sonnets and other poems
Shakespeare’s sonnets are usually cited by sonnet number, and line numbers may be added if your style guide wants them. Because sonnets are short, the citation is often straightforward.
For example, you might refer to Sonnet 18 in the text and then cite the relevant lines in parentheses. If you are using a collected edition, the bibliography should still identify that edition clearly.
Tips for poetry citations
- Keep the poem title or sonnet number clear.
- Use line numbers when available.
- Preserve original line breaks in block quotations.
- Do not invent modern punctuation inside the quoted lines.
Common mistakes to avoid
Many citation errors come from treating Shakespeare like a modern prose author. The most common fix is to remember that the location system is built around dramatic structure and verse lines.
Frequent problems
- Using page numbers only when act, scene, and line numbers are needed
- Forgetting the edition in the bibliography or Works Cited
- Mixing citation styles in the same paper
- Quoting too much without analysis
- Using inconsistent abbreviations for the same play
If you are unsure, the safest move is to consult the style guide your course or publisher follows and then apply it consistently from beginning to end.
A simple Shakespeare citation checklist
Before you submit your paper, run through this quick checklist. It can save you from small but important formatting problems.
- Did you identify the correct edition?
- Did you cite plays by act, scene, and line?
- Did you cite poems by line number or sonnet number as required?
- Did you match the citation style in the rest of the paper?
- Did you include a full bibliography, Works Cited, or reference entry?
Final takeaway
Learning how to cite Shakespeare is mostly about learning the structure of the text: act, scene, and line for plays, and line or sonnet numbers for poetry. Once you match the citation style to the edition you are using, the process becomes clear, accurate, and repeatable.
If you want to keep sharpening your literary formatting skills, you may also find which line is written in iambic pentameter and are play titles italicized helpful for related Shakespeare and writing questions.