The Top Five Shakespeare Characters

Who's made it into our top 5 list of Shakespeare characters? Find out with our essential guide to the best Shakespeare characters.

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Hamlet from 'Hamlet'

Shakespeare Characters: Jude Law as Hamlet. Photo © Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images

Hamlet is arguably Shakespeare's most complex character. Explore Hamlet's emotional turmoil in our Hamlet character profile. More »

02

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Macbeth from 'Macbeth'

Shakespeare Characters: Macbeth. Photo © NYPL Digital Gallery

Macbeth is one of Shakespeare's most intense and attractive villains. However, as this Macbeth character analysis reveals, he is a complex and multi-faceted character. More »

03

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Romeo from 'Romeo and Juliet'

Romeo from Romeo and Juliet is literature's most famous lover. He’s a handsome man of about sixteen who falls easily in and out of love demonstrating his immaturity. More »

04

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Lady Macbeth from Macbeth is one of Shakespeare’s most infamous female characters because she exerts a great deal of influence over the events of the play and is the main instigator in the plot to kill the king. More »

05

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Benedick from 'Much Ado About Nothing'

Young, funny and locked into a love-hate relationship with Beatrice, Much Ado About Nothing's Benedick is one of Shakespeare's most hilarious characters. More »